Minister Pusić attends Foreign Affairs Council meeting

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić 22 July attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, the first one for Croatia as a full-fledged EU member

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić 22 July attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, the first one for Croatia as a full-fledged EU member. The topics included the Southern Neighbourhood (Syria, Egypt), Strategic Framework for the Great Lakes/Congo Region, Somalia, Mali, the Middle East Peace Process, Lebanon and the Eastern Partnership. High Representative Ashton presented the first yearly report on the implementation of the Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy. After the FAC meeting, a ministerial meeting of the Eastern Partnership was held as a preparation for the Vilnius Summit in November.

In regard to Egypt, the ministers called on all of the political parties to make peace and take steps to stabilize the country and hold new elections. A videoconference was held on the Middle East Peace Process with the US Secretary of State Kerry, who reported on the willingness of the Palestinian and Israeli side to open direct negotiations.

Suspecting that Hezbollah was responsible for the bomb attack in Burgas last year, it was decided that Hezbollah’s military wing be entered into the list of terrorist organizations. “Croatia was pretty reserved about this position, but in the end we agreed that it was only its military wing that was at fault and not the entire organization. As Hezbollah participates in the government of Lebanon, an unstable country in an unstable environment, it was important not to make matters worse,” Pusić said after the meeting.

The Council also confirmed the framework for continued EU assistance and policy towards Myanmar until the elections announced for 2015. The EU goals include stimulating the political, social and economic growth of the country, promoting human rights and assisting the government of Myanmar in positioning the country on the international scene.

Franz Michael Skjold Mellbin was appointed the EU special representative for Afghanistan.

The Council adopted the conclusions on Bosnia and Herzegovina outright, Pusić said, adding they expressed concern over the situation in the country and its lagging behind the other countries in the region. The conclusions call for the implementation of the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in the Sejdić-Finci case. “There is a certain contradiction between the Dayton concept of BiH and the ruling in the Sejdić-Finci case,” Pusić said. “That does not mean the ruling should be ignored, but that it should be carried out systematically, with a full understanding and by solving the issue of political representation of all three nations in BiH. I believe that BiH right now should show progress wherever possible. This includes activating the road map to NATO membership. The country’s progress in NATO accession is very important for the stability of the entire region, as it would project a positive image of BiH as a country willing to achieve its goals, which would in turn help create a positive climate for solving the rest of the issues,” Pusić said.

In an answer to questions by the press, Pusić said there was no talk about the Vatican’s initiative to launch highest-level talks between the Church and the Government of Croatia.

The minister reiterated that the European Commission defended the interests of the member states, which means Croatia as well, in talks with the CEFTA members. The only universal rule is the so-called ‘traditional trade’, which means that the trade conditions that were in effect before the membership carry on in the amended Stabilization and Association Agreements. This is the principle that the EC always defends when it comes to the member states, which Croatia can attest to as well from the time when it was not yet a member,” Pusić said.

Asked about the translation of regulations regarding the European Arrest Warrant, Pusić said that “the translation obviously has not been reviewed by experts in the way it should have been. Nevertheless, this does not impact our political position and agreements with the European Commission.” She added that Croatia was trying to reach a solution with the EC, which could be expected later this year.

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