Minister Picula spoke with Mrs. Noelle Lenoir, the Minister for the EU at the MFA of France....

On the margins of the 112th Meeting of the CoE Committee of Ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Tonino Picula spoke with the Minister for the European Union at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, Mrs. Noelle Lenoir.

Minister Lenoir said that France supports the candidacy of the Republic of Croatia for membership of the European Union and wishes to intensify bilateral contacts to additionally assist Croatia in the European integration processes.

As the most difficult area of the reform activities Minister Lenoir mentioned the judiciary where, in addition to the reform, it is necessary to establish the respect for the “spirit of justice”. She inquired in particular about the performance of Croatia concerning the return of refugees. France regards Croatia as the pillar of stability in the region, which is still one of the major challenges to the EU, and Minister Lenoir emphasised the need for Croatia to be involved as much as it possibly can in Southeastern Europe. She also inquired about the influence of the Church in the politics in Croatia.

Minister Picula said that the economic situation in Croatia is becoming increasingly stable and that the unemployment rate is continuously decreasing. Croatia is also extremely interested in the stability of the region. The responsibility for the realisation of the integration processes lies primarily with the government of each state, with the focus on the individual approach and the principle that everybody need to be judged by their own performance. Croatia will continue, within its capability, to assist its neighbours in adopting the European standards and achieving their European aspirations as soon as possible. The Church is present in the everyday life in Croatia, but its interests, e.g. the approach of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union, are fully compatible with the foreign-policy priorities of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.

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