The 27th meeting of the Permanent Croatian-Bavarian Commission held in Munich, ended yesterday, 25 May 2004. The Croatian delegation was led by State Secretary at the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gordan Bakota
State Secretary Bakota and Bavarian Minister for European Affairs and Regional Relations Eberhard Sinner pointed out the importance of the Commission in promoting partnership co-operation between Croatia and Bavaria. Bakota said that 32-year-long co-operation within the Commission is a proof of strong ties between Croatia and Bavaria, pointing out that the meeting is being held at an important time when Croatia, having received the positive Opinion from the European Commission, is with rightful optimism expecting the candidate status in June 2004, as well as the setting of the date for the start of the negotiations with the EU. In this process, the friendly Bavaria has given and is still giving strong support to Croatia through a developed and meaningful co-operation within the Permanent Commission.
Reviewing the current political and economic situation, the State Secretary said that the Croatian government is running the policy of continuity and decisive steps, stressing Croatia’s readiness to conduct the necessary reforms, with the objective of both raising the standard of living and becoming a member of the EU.
Bavarian Minister Sinner said that the co-operation within the Commission is a part of the vision about the EU, as all of the agreed projects lead to a greater common goal – a quicker joining of Croatia to the EU. Gauging that Croatia’s dynamic approaching the EU will open new and greater possibilities of co-operation in Southeast Europe, Minister Sinner pointed out the importance of the connection between Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia with the EU, as well as their role as the bridge towards Southeast Europe. Sinner proposed the co-operation between commissions that Bavaria has with other countries, reminding that multilateral co-operation is the fundamental principle of work in the EU.
On behalf of the Croatian Minister for European Integration Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, State Secretary Bakota invited Minister Sinner to visit Croatia, which he gladly accepted.
The meeting of the Permanent Croatian-Bavarian Commission ended with the signing of a Protocol which mentiones all of the new projects the realisation of which has been determined in the Working Program, oriented at supporting Croatia in realising its EU membership and at the partnership co-operation between Croatia and Bavaria.
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