• I welcome you most warmly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
European Integration on the occasion of our Diplomacy Day.
• On 7th June we mark the initial recognition of the Croatian state.
In 879, Pope John VIII confirmed Duke Branimir as ruler of the Croatian people.
• This event has determined the further course of our history by rooting
every Croatian state to follow in the western tradition.
• Recently, we have reaffirmed this fundamental orientation by achieving
one of our most important foreign policy goals, namely by joining the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization.
• I avail myself of this opportunity to thank once again all Allies
that have supported us in this historic, and at times, rather difficult endeavour.
• We see our NATO membership not only as a matter of national and regional
security, but also as a substantial affirmation of Croatia's role in the international
community.
• From a war-stricken country in need of support, Croatia has steadily
developed into a stable and prosperous state.
• We committed ourselves to fundamental democratic values and succeeded
in putting Croatia on the track of development, reconciliation and progress.
• We also strengthened our society and our position in the world.
• As a result of the successful completion of all these processes, Croatia
was elected to the United Nations Security Council.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
• In Croatia’s striving for stability and prosperity, regional
co-operation and reconciliation has become a vital constituent of our foreign
policy.
• What matters most in this respect is that we have found the essential
common denominator with all of our neighbours in the shared aim to join the
European Union.
• This is the key element of stability in our region.
• It is – amongst others – reflected in the good will on
all parts to deal with problems and issues in a peaceful manner and in the
spirit of good neighbourly relations.
• As a member of NATO, and hopefully soon a member of the EU, Croatia
is giving its contribution to this joint regional effort.
• It is exactly for that reason that our integration in the Euroatlantic
community carries strategic importance — not only for us but also for
the further promotion of stability, security and prosperity in the region
as a whole.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
• Along our path to membership in the EU Croatia has invested huge
efforts to reach the final stage in its accession negotiations.
• However, our good prospects have lately been seriously dimmed by practices
opposite to the ideas upon which the European Union was built.
• A bilateral issue which has no connection with the European acquis
and the defined content of the accession negotiations is being used to thwart
Croatia's EU progress.
• This development is not only harming the European idea in Croatia,
but it is also seriously weakening the European Union’s policy of stabilizing
Southeast Europe and bearing negatively on the EU enlargement policy as a
whole.
• Regardless of these unexpectedly encountered obstacles, Croatia will
keep on pursuing its prime foreign policy goal steadily.
• We will not resign nor will we allow to be put on a hold in our endeavours
to bring our accession negotiations to a successful end.
• We will invest all our efforts into the fulfilment of all remaining
membership criteria’s and in reaching full preparedness for EU membership
– at the latest by the end of this year.
• At the same time we know that our cooperation with the ICTY is of
crucial importance.
• In recent years we have proven our full cooperation with the ICTY,
when it was most relevant for the Tribunal as well as for Croatia.
• As one of the founding states of The Hague Tribunal, Croatia remains
dedicated to further support the fulfilment of the Tribunals mandate.
• We are satisfied that in his latest Report to the UN Security Council
the Chief Prosecutor confirmed Croatia’s overall good cooperation with
the ICTY.
• However, in one single case regarding the submission of a number of
requested documents, Croatia differs with the Prosecutors assessment.
• Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that
– while we are waiting for a decision of the Trial Chamber on our recently
submitted request – we will continue to fully cooperate with the Tribunal.
• In other words, this Government will do all what is in its power to
keep Croatia on the European course.
• We know what our obligations are but we also fully adhere to the values,
principles and standards of the community we want to join.
• Sometimes this is neither an easy nor a very popular task, but we
are confident that the result, once achieved, will be rewarding for all: for
Croatia, for our northern neighbouring country, for the European Union and
for the whole of Southeast Europe.
• What would prove to be most helpful at this point would be to receive
reassurance that the European Union's values, principles and standards will
be applied equally to each of its current or future members.
• Therewith we are not asking for exceptional treatment.
• Quite the contrary – we are pleading for a European Union that corresponds with the vision presented ahead of the elections for the European Parliament in the ten point’s thesis paper of President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
• Let me conclude by saying that Croatia is able and willing to make an essential contribution to a strong and functional European Union.
• I am confident that in our efforts to do so we can further relay on your trust and support.
Thank you for your attention!