Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Žužul met today, 19 April 2004, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zagreb, with the British Minister for Europe, Denis MacShane
Minister Žužul expressed his gratitude for Britain’s support to Croatia’s efforts in gaining full EU membership and stated his conviction that Croatia’s approaching the EU will contribute to the stabilisation of the region. He described the bilateral relations between the two countries as very good, pointing out that by developing good relations, Britain and Croatia can form an even stronger partnership. MacShane expressed his satisfaction with great and positive changes in Croatia and said that it is necessary to change the optics from the 90’s. Britain wants to see Croatia first on the road to Europe – individually and based on its own achievements and results. Minister for Europe MacShane said that Croatia can expect a positive signal from Bruxelles tomorrow and dismissed the notion of a supposed secret Britain’s agenda against Croatia. MacShane added that the British government will support Croatia’s Euro-Atlantic ambitions, expressing his conviction that Croatia will become a full EU member by the end of the decade. The British minister said that he believes the Croatian government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and especially the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister with their activities in the last few weeks, left a powerful impression on the European Union and the United States. As regards the situation in the region, Minister MacShane said that the goal of Britain’s policy is to solve the problems in the region, so that they would stop being the care of the international community.
During his stay in Zagreb, MacShane presented the Britain’s program of assistance in the preparation of Croatia’s candidacy for full EU membership, which includes a program of co-operation with the Ministry of European Integrations, assistance in the development of areas of special state concern, assistance in justice and internal affairs reform, solving unemployment and the development of civil society.
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