Minister Miomir Žužul took part at an informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU member and candidate states

Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot has called today’s meeting so that the foreign ministers could review the situation in Sudan, Iraq and the Middle East. The meeting was followed by a meeting between the EU and ECOWAS (Economic Community Of West African States) foreign ministers.

The Netherlands, as the EU presiding country, places special emphasis on the enlargement process, which contributes to the strengthening of Europe’s stability and security. As regards Croatia, the Netherlands think that before entering negotiations with the EU is should study and review the acquis. Also, the Netherlands plan to continually monitor the fulfilment of the political criteria for joining the EU, including the co-operation with the ICTY in Hague, where Croatia has already reached a satisfactory level.

Minister Žužul thanked all of the ministers for their welcome and delivered a lecture on the situation in the region, pointing out that Croatia, as a part of the international community, is ready and determined to contribute to the stabilisation of the relations between the countries in the region.

The meeting in St. Gerlach also mentioned the possibility of Croatia taking over the OSCE presidency in 2007. Minister Žužul said that Croatia is prepared to assume this obligation with full responsibility after consulting with the EU, fully aware of the significance of the work that will have to be done.

After the ministerial meeting in St. Gerlach, minister Žužul held a series of talks and meetings with EU High Representative Javier Solana, foreign ministers Solomon Passy, Ivo Vajgl, Mircea Geoana, and the host of the meeting Bernard Bot, who confirmed that Croatia’s negotiations with the EU will begin early-2005 as planned.