Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Žužul received today, 16 April 2004, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zagreb, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostjantyn Gryščenko, who is on an official visit to Croatia
Minister Žužul pointed out that Croatia is actively involved in solving the issues of global security. Croatian forces play an important role in Afghanistan. Žužul also pointed out the need for a more active role of the international community in Kosovo, where Ukraine and Russia’s position is of a special importance.
Minister Gryščenko said that Ukraine takes active part in the international community’s peacekeeping missions in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan, with Ukrainian soldiers taking part in the normalisation of the situation in the country.
Minister Žužul said that he believes Bruxelles will recognise the results Croatia has achieved in democratisation and achieving the democratic standards, and that he is convinced Croatia would get a positive Opinion for the European Commission next week, as well as the Decision on the candidate status and the start of the negotiations with the EU from the European Council in June. Both ministers emphasised the importance of the meeting of the North Atlantic Alliance members and potential members in Istanbul in June, especially as regards the strengthening of security and global war on terrorism.
After the meeting, the two ministers signed the Treaty between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Government of the Republic of Ukraine on Inland Navigation, that regulates the transport of goods and persons on the Danube and waterways connecting the two countries. Minister Gryščenko invited Ministry Žužul to pay an official visit to Ukraine, which he accepted.
Minister Gryščenko was also received today by Croatian President Stjepan Mesić, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Vice President of the Croatian parliament Luka Bebić.
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