Minister Jandroković participated in session of OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna

In his speech before the Council, Minister Jandroković pointed out that Croatia actively monitors all security-related debates within the OSCE, and is interested in creating more efficient security institutions and mechanisms

In his speech before the Council, Minister Jandroković pointed out that Croatia actively monitors all security-related debates within the OSCE, and is interested in creating more efficient security institutions and mechanisms. He said that during this year’s Greek presidency, a lot had been done and the basic principles of the OSCE had been further reaffirmed. He pointed out the launching of the Corfu Process as a new framework for the debate on the security situation within the OSCE, extremely useful in identifying the problem areas and finding answers to the existing security system as well. Minister Jandroković said that Croatia, as a new NATO and future EU member, is aware of the common responsibility in the strengthening of the security system, pointing out that Croatia’s two-year UN Security Council membership had been focused on solving crisis issues on both the regional and global level. Croatia also believes that a strong European security and defence policy can incite transatlantic security partnership and strategic ties between NATO and the EU.

The communication and cooperation between Croatia and the OSCE Minister Jandroković described as excellent, with a successful progress in the mandate fulfilment of the OSCE Office in Zagreb regarding the monitoring of the war crime trials and the remaining aspects of the refugee housing solutions. He said that the Croatian Government pays special attention to the refugee return as an important humanitarian issue, and has therefore met all of the obligations stemming from the international law and the Sarajevo Declaration. He emphasized that Croatia would continue to meet all of the requirements stemming from the OCSE mandate, which its institutions have been capacitated for.

Minister Jandroković called to mind the decision to pass an opinion in December on the continuation of the activities of the OSCE Office in Zagreb, saying that Croatia expects understanding and support from all of the participants in regard to defining the future status of the Office.

Noting the yesterday’s signing of the arbitration agreement between Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor, Minister Jandroković said that it, along with Slovenia’s earlier lifting of veto on Croatia’s negotiations and the continuation of the border negotiations, represents an important step in the further enhancement and strengthening of the two countries’ good-neighbourly relations, as well as in Croatia’s EU accession. He pointed out that Croatia is aware of the challenges that lie ahead and remains dedicated to fulfilling the rest of the obligations, in order to close the negotiations with the EU by mid-2010. Croatia is also prepared to maintain its constructive role in the region and will continue, keeping in mind the principle of individual approach and the meeting of criteria, to support the Euro-Atlantic perspective of its countries, considering it the best guarantee of stability and progress, concluded Minister Jandroković.

On the margins of the session, Minister Jandroković met with the OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, and the OSCE Permanent Council Chairperson and Permanent Representative of the Hellenic Republic to the OSCE Mara Marinaki.

Press releases