Minister Miomir Žužul received Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe Erhard Busek

Mr Erhard Brusek said that its EU candidate status is a recognition to Croatia as well as a signal to other countries in the region. He stated his readiness to help Croatia reach its objective of EU membership, because it is important both for Croatia and the Stability Pact, as well as the whole region.

Minister Žužul said that Croatia is currently going through an important stage in the process of approaching the EU, as regards the received candidate status and considering how soon membership negotiations will start, which raises the quality of relations between Croatia and the Stability Pact. Croatia has once again found out that the Stability Pact means assistance in harmonisation and conducting negotiations with the EU. Minister Žužul added that Croatia has clearly formulated its regional policy and is aware that joining the EU does not mean escape from the region, on the contrary – it is prepared to assume a more active role in the Stability Pact.

Mr Busek thanked the Croatian Government and Minister Žužul for realising the importance of the Stability Pact for the countries in the region and announced a few important events to be held in Croatia: the ministerial conference “Efficient Democratic Administration on Local and Regional Level” in Zagreb 25-26 October, the opening of the regional office of the international Sava Commission in Zagreb and the transfer of the centre of the education reform process in the region from Vienna to Zagreb. The appointment of the new director has also been announced, as well as the new activities of the RACVIAC (Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre) project, seated in Zagreb. At the end, Mr Busek welcomed the appointment of the new Croatian co-ordinator for the Stability Pact, Renato Cobal, adding that he hopes that the co-operation between Croatia and the Stability Pact will continue to be successful in the future.