Minister Picula received Mr. Riccardo Illy, President of the region Friuli-Venezia Giulia...

On 4 November 2003, Mr. Tonino Picula, the Croatian Foreign Minister, received Mr. Riccardo Illy, President of the region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, at the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The latter also met, the same day, with Mr. Stjepan Mesić, the Croatian President.

Since this was the first visit by Mr. Illy to the Republic of Croatia, after he was elected as President of the region in June, a wish was expressed in the talks for the continuation of cooperation and the promotion of good relations between the Republic of Croatia and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Minister Picula emphasised that in the context of speeding and facilitating the entry of the Republic of Croatia to the EU, the Croatian Government supports all forms of regional cooperation, including cooperation within Euro-region for which Mr. Illy calls for, but also expects specific results from such cooperation.

Minister also talked about the problems concerning the realisation of the Programme for the Reconstruction of the Croatian Danubian Region in which Friuli-Venezia Giulia participates. The interlocutors also talked about the Italian minority in Croatia and the Croatian community in Trieste. Both sides agreed that it is necessary to continue with the talks on the protection of the Adriatic, and on the joint cooperation measures at the Adriatic.

Press releases