State Secretary Pejčinović Burić co-chaired 4th session of Mixed Croatia-Baden-Württemberg Commission in Schwarzwald

State Secretary Pejčinović Burić expressed satisfaction with the Commission’s activities thus far, as well as the frequency of the sessions. The fact that three sessions have been held since the founding session in Zagreb in March 2005 proves the great interest on both sides in developing the Relations between Croatia and Baden-Württemberg, said State Secretary Pejčinović Burić.

State Secretary Pejčinović Burić pointed out that co-operation within the Commission is important for Croatia as an incentive for the further development of the exceptionally good bilateral relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, as well as a part of Croatia’s preparations for the EU membership. She also stressed that it is necessary, among other things, to stimulate co-operation on projects of common interest with the member countries’ regions, as such co-operation will be the basis of Croatia’s future active participation in the European Union’s regional policy. As regards the Commission’s activities so far, significant co-operation has been realised in all areas, and there is a wish for its further intensification in various fields.

The end of the session saw the signing of the Protocol of the 4th session of the mixed Commission, which regulates the issues of co-operation in areas such as economy, education, science, culture, and internal affairs.

The next session of the Mixed Croatia-Baden-Württemberg Commission is to be held in the spring of 2008 in Dubrovnik.

State Secretary Pejčinović Burić also met with Willi Stächele, Minister of Baden-Württemberg’s State Ministry for European Affairs and Co-chair of the Mixed Commission, with whom she exchanged information about the issues concerning the European Union.

State Secretary Pejčinović Burić familiarised State Minister Stächele with the progress of Croatia’s EU negotiations, pointing out the importance the German chairmanship had for Croatia’s overall accession process. State Minister Stächele expressed Baden-Württemberg’s support for Croatia’s EU aspirations.