Address by H. E.
Gordan Jandroković,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration
of the Republic of Croatia
at the TRANSATLANTIC DINNER
New York, 21th September 2010
Afghanistan
•
Sustained pressure on the Taliban has successfully denied Al Qaeda a
safe-haven in Afghanistan, effectively reducing the capacity of the
terrorist network to successfully operate on the global scene.
•
Nine years of our engagement has yielded significant results and has
made the lives of ordinary Afghans significantly better.
•
The National GDP has risen to 15% over the last year, in the midst of
the global economic crisis and eight and a half million children are
attending schools--40% of them are girls.
•
There is now a clear roadmap for a conditions-based
transition to
an Afghan lead government, which we all expect to gain traction next
year.
• It is very encouraging to witness that
the situation in most areas of governance is increasingly improving.
•
Recent political events, such as the International Conference on
Afghanistan in Kabul in July, as well parliamentary elections that were
held a few days ago, are clearly some of the more noted positive steps
in strengthening governance.
• We have
reason to be confident that the Afghan Government is on the right track
for assuming full responsibility for the security in the country. Of
course, in this regard the engagement of international partners is
still of the utmost importance.
•
Following the priorities of the ISAF mission, Croatia, for its part, is
placing particular emphasis on the efforts to develop and train the
Afghan security forces. We have recently increased the number of our
troops, with half of our contingent now dedicated to the training of
the Afghan army and the police.
Croatia and Security
Policy toward South East Europe (SEE)
•
Open-door policy of NATO and the EU is no doubt one of the most
successful policies of both organizations. In that regard, we wish to
emphasize the importance of the SEE countries to remain very high on
the enlargement agenda of NATO and the EU.
•
In order to achieve political stability in the region, Croatia
recognizes the importance of maintaining the direction of B-H towards
Euro-Atlantic integration. We strongly support the strategy of possible
rapprochement of Serbia to Euro-Atlantic integration. In this context
Croatia welcomed the admission of Montenegro and invitation to B-H in
NATO’s Membership Action Plan (MAP).
• We hope
that after the scheduled parliamentary elections in October B-H will
begin with the process of introducing necessary reforms and will renew
its Euro-Atlantic efforts. The territorial integrity of the
country, real equality of its three constituent peoples and its
Euro-Atlantic orientation enjoy Croatia’s full support.
•
Croatia will continue supporting B-H in fulfillment of necessary
requirements for MAP and we regret that the opportunity for inclusion
has been missed.
• Regarding the Law on the
Status of the State Property unilaterally adopted by Republika Srpska
we share concern that the Law is not in conformity with the
Constitution of B-H, the Dayton Agreements and that it is extremely
divisive. The solution to the military and state’s property is one of
the preconditions for B-H in the EU process and full participation in
the MAP.
• Kosovo remains high on the agenda
of our security policy concerning SEE as one of its critical components
and we are participating both in NATO (KFOR with 20 people and 2
helicopters) and the EU Mission (EULEX contributing 2 police and 3
justice officers).
• The Kosovo Security Force
has reached initial Operational Capability which is important step in
much needed security burden-sharing, one of the preconditions in
achieving secure, democratic, multi-ethnic and Kosovo governed by the
rule of law.
Iran
• Croatia fully
supports the resolution of the UN SC 1929 as well as additional
unilateral sanctions of the USA and EU and is aware of the importance
of comprehensive implementation of all relevant decisions concerning
Iran.
• Croatia aligns its policy with that of
the EU and USA and shares concerns with regard to the issue of the
Iranian uranium enrichment process and unsuccessful IAEA efforts to
stop Iran’s nuclear program.
• The
Government of Croatia is in process of implementing the measures
provided in the UNSC R 1929 as well as the measures decided upon by the
EU as part of our common foreign and security policy endeavor.
•
Croatia is of the view that every country has a right to use the atomic
energy for peaceful purposes, but under absolute transparency and in
strict respect of the Non Proliferation Treaty and IAEA safeguards.
Iran still has to prove to the international community that its nuclear
program is not intended for proliferation of sensitive nuclear
activities and for military purposes.
• Iranian nuclear ambitions are
threatening stability of the Middle East and the ongoing peace talks.
•
A solution to the Iranian nuclear issue would contribute to global
non-proliferation efforts and to realizing the objective of a Middle
East free of the weapons of mass destruction. It is important that in
the overall climate of increased confidence created by the START
agreement, the holding of the Nuclear Summit and the modest success of
the NPT Conference, Iran understands that we speak with a more unified
voice than ever.
Middle East Peace Process
•
Croatia welcomes the launch of direct talks between the State of Israel
and the Palestinian Authority on September 2nd in Washington. We hope
that they will resolve all final status issues (borders of the
Palestinian state, status of Jerusalem and of Palestinian refugees) and
lead to a two-state solution with the State of Israel and a viable
State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security .
•
Croatia also supports the sustained efforts and leadership of the Obama
Administration aimed at reaching peace in the Middle East. Madame
Secretary your personal engagement, the ongoing dedication of your team
and particularly Special Envoy Mitchell deserve our praise and
congratulations.
• As an EU candidate
country, Croatia aligns its positions regarding Middle East issues with
the EU and joins EU Presidency declarations dealing with the ME.
•
Croatia contributes, to the best of its abilities to the entire Middle
East Peace Process. As you may know we currently have 95 troops in the
UNDOF mission on the Golan Heights as well as one officer in UNIFIL
mission in Lebanon.
• Croatia wishes to see a
lasting and just solution coming out of this process: one
that
will ensure the right of the people of Israel and the Palestine to live
together in peace and security in a two state solution. There appears
to be genuine momentum and we must continue to seize this opportunity.
•
I would like to stress that Croatia’s ongoing high level political
dialogue (visits by FMs and visit of President Peres to Croatia), both
political and economic with the State of Israel and the Palestinian
Authority will continue with Prime Minister Kosor’s reciprocal visit to
Prime Minister Netanyahu, anticipated in November of this year.
