Minister Gordan Jandrokovic participated in the Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU Member States and candidate countries
They reviewed the new ways of reinforcing security and stability in Afghanistan and the wider area ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandrokovic participated on Saturday, 5 September 2009, in the Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU Member States and candidate countries (the so called Gymnich Meeting), in Stockholm, the Kingdom of Sweden.
During the Informal Meeting foreign affairs ministers discussed the current situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, and the Middle East Peace process. They reviewed the new ways of reinforcing security and stability in Afghanistan and the wider area, and the sustainable and constructive engagement in the fight against terror and keeping of peace and safety. EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana reported about the results of his tour in the Middle Eats, and foreign affairs ministers analysed what would be the following steps in the dispute concerning the Iranian nuclear programme, as well as solving the issue in the Middle East.
During the Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU Member States and candidate countries, Minister Jandrokovic gave an account of the course and current developments related to Croatia's accession negotiations so far. He reported that up to now the Republic of Croatia opened 22 chapters, 7 of which had been closed. He added that 14 chapters were ready for opening and he expressed hope that the intensive talks held so far with Slovenia would soon result in mutually acceptable solution, and that Croatia's accession negotiations would be unblocked and continue shortly.
Minister Jandrokovic welcomed the enlargement of the European Union as one of the priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the Union. He underlined Croatia's lasting commitment to fulfilling the remaining obligations in accordance with the European Commission's Indicative Timetable, continued strong commitment to full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal in the Hague, as well as the fight against corruption and organised crime. He expressed hope that the positive developments that Croatia had achieved would be recognised in this year's European Commission's Progress Report.
At the closing of his speech, the Minister thanked the European Union Member States for their ongoing support to the Republic of Croatia on its path to full membership of the Union, adding that Croatia's accession to the EU would be instrumental in the strengthening of the European prospects of other countries in Southeast Europe.
Mario Dragun
Spokesman
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