Introductory remarks of Gordan Jandroković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia
at the Diplomatic Academy
Croatia – Twenty Years of Independence
The Potential of Croatia’s Contribution to the European Union
Vienna, 13th July 2011
Dear Michael,
Esteemed Mr. Winkler,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
let me first thank both the Vienna Diplomatic Academy for organizing this joint Croatian-Austrian conference and my friend Michael for supporting it and being here today.
The Vienna Diplomatic Academy has over the years been providing an opportunity for a considerable number of Croatian diplomats to gain additional knowledge and experience.
Therewith, this prestigious institution has beyond doubt contributed to strengthening the very pillars of Croatian diplomacy, and for that I would like to express my special appreciation.
It is a great pleasure to speak at the opening of this gathering which comes at such an important and symbolic moment for my country.
I would like to express my gratitude that you have not only recognized but are also honouring this moment which certainly gives plenty grounds to be proud of and to celebrate.
This pride and the celebration encompass the marking of the 20th anniversary of Croatia gaining independence whose significance was additionally put to the foreground by the successful conclusion of our accession negotiations with the EU.
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In historic terms 20 years may not seem as a long period of time.
But we used it to achieve historic goals.
20 years ago Croatian citizens seized the opportunity to change course and adopt a new political equation that could be graphically defined as “independence equals democracy plus Europe”. And this has been the guiding formula for Croatia ever since.
These were the times when a large part of the European continent was undergoing tremendous changes within the transition from the former communist system to freedom and democracy and from a planned to a free market economy.
And this transition was also inherent to Croatia transforming from a Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to a free, independent, sovereign state, which constituted the second transition.
But unlike the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Croatia was simultaneously faced with a war inflicted on its own territory.
The aggression on Croatia inevitably led to the third and the most demanding transition – from war to peace, from destruction to building peace and prosperity.
It was not until 1998 and the peaceful reintegration of Eastern Slavonia that the threat to independence was eliminated.
And only then the conditions were created to direct all national potentials towards structural reforms and integration into the EU and NATO.
It was with great enthusiasm and ambition that Croatia had embarked on this journey.
The mere comparison of the Croatia at the moment of gaining independence and the Croatia of today speaks volumes of the remarkable and profound changes our state and society have undergone.
What needs to be put into the foreground is the unquestionable benefit that these changes have brought in the everyday life of our citizens.
In short, our judiciary is more effective, the rule of law guaranteed, corruption fought on all levels, the business environment more competitive and financial markets more open.
Our road was not easy, with the rules sometimes changing along the way, while the degree of difficulty in some areas surpassed all expectations.
But we never doubted that we would succeed.
It was the amalgamation of strong belief and hard work that brought us to where we stand today.
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And from the point where we stand today we can look back with pride onto the two decades behind us, and with optimism into the decade ahead.
With the first decade being marked by the fight for independence, and the second by taking steady steps towards European and Euro-atlantic integration, it is the third decade in which Croatia will reap the benefits of all the previous achievements.
It will be a decade focused first and foremost on realizing all the comparative advantages of the Croatian economy so as to achieve a more pronounced economic growth, further raise Croatia’s GDP and attract more FDIs.
And it will certainly be a decade in which we will further strengthen Croatia’s position on the international stage, and become deeper integrated in both the EU and NATO.
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For more than two years Croatia has been a reliable NATO Ally, an ally respected for its valuable contribution to peace-keeping efforts around the globe.
And our membership in the European Union is now indeed at hand.
What awaits us in the upcoming period is signing the Accession Treaty during the Polish EU Presidency, and intensifying all activities within the extensive information campaign prior to holding a referendum in Croatia on its accession to the EU.
And let us not forget the consent of the EU Parliament as well as the ratification of the Croatian Accession Treaty in the Parliaments of the EU Member States.
There are two elements to realizing the scenario of Croatia joining the EU on July 1st 2013.
The first one certainly is Croatia’s unquestionable determination to continue building up on its achievements, thus additionally confirming what we consider to be obvious after the most demanding accession process ever – namely Croatia’s full readiness to join the EU as its 28th Member State.
And the second is the unwavering support of the EU institutions, and the EU Member States with which we will soon be sharing and shaping the same European future.
But before I turn to the potentials of Croatia’s contribution in shaping this future, allow me to thank you, Michael, for being a strong and resolute voice in favor of concluding our accession negotiations by the end of June.
You were, especially in this decisive final phase, among those for whom it was unquestionable that this was what Croatia deserved.
And for that I thank you once again.
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This only confirmed once more that with Austria we nurture a true friendship.
A friendship that has its roots in our common history and that has been on so many occasions proven in more recent times.
Austria’s role in recognizing Croatia’s independence and the crucial one it played for the opening of Croatia’s accession negotiations are built into the very foundations of our friendship.
From this we draw our confidence that within the EU Croatia and Austria will certainly be much more than just ordinary partners.
And all this makes the high level of our bilateral relations self-explanatory.
Beside remarkable political cooperation and a noteworthy exchange of visits at the highest level, economic relations between our two countries are intense and continuously improving.
Austria is the largest foreign investor in Croatia and an economic partner with whom we want to further build and improve our economic ties.
And we see great potentials for that in fields such as energy, transport, environmental protection and tourism.
Therefore, I am looking forward to the outcome of today’s discussion of our business representatives and I am certain that it will serve as another step in bringing this aspect of our cooperation to the next level.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am certain Croatia’s membership in the EU opens a new window of opportunity for us, as well as the community we are about to join.
We are fully aware that the EU is currently searching for answers to many questions, such as the response to the financial crisis, security threats, climate change or migrations, to name just a few.
And we are aware that through this prism the continuation of EU enlargement is not always seen as a good thing.
However, as far as Croatia is concerned, I am more than certain that as a new Member State it will represent an added value to the EU in more ways than one.
Croatia's cultural heritage and contemporary achievements in arts, science, sports and other areas will form a part of our common European legacy.
Its largely well-preserved environment not only adds to European natural resources and biodiversity, but also enables the expansion of organic food production.
As the first country of South East Europe to be integrated into the EU Internal Market and the key EU economic partner in this region with strong bonds to the markets of its neighbours, Croatia most definitely has great potentials to become one of the most vibrant economies in this part of Europe.
And as the most desired European tourist destination in 2010, Croatia will undoubtedly contribute to Europe's competiveness in the world tourist market.
But if you asked me what our biggest asset was, I wouldn’t have to think twice.
Being a country with a Central European orientation, a Mediterranean spirit and a continental heart, Croatia has the privilege to be the only country in Europe that lies on the shores of both the Danube and the Adriatic Sea.
And with a specific understanding of its neighbourhood and extensive regional cooperation, I am sure Croatia will perfectly fit into the mosaic of Europe’s unity in diversity.
Trough its active membership in various regional associations, like the Danube Strategy, the Adriatic–Ionian Initiative, the Union for the Mediterranean or the Regional Cooperation Council, Croatia contributes to regional development which is clearly in line with the goals of the EU's cohesion policy.
In our view, regional cooperation is an indispensable prerequisite in creating the Seamless Europe, which is our common ambition.
In that sense, both Croatia and Austria attach great importance to the implementation of the newly adopted Danube Strategy.
Our objective is clear; ensuring a better structured economic development, as outlined in the Lisbon Agenda, and add to its goals.
And these are, as we all know, to make the EU the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, all the while preserving and improving social cohesion and maintaining environmental sustainability.
In this context, Croatia is insisting on improving transport and energy connectivity, ensuring a better management of natural and man-made risks, supporting the development of SMEs and promoting tourism.
There is one thread on which the development of all these fields largely depends, and that is science and education.
Here again, exceptional cooperation between Croatia and Austria has been established.
And this cooperation can certainly be taken further, both bilaterally as well as in the area of the Danube basin, where we should look for ways to better connect the fifty universities lying at its shores.
In doing so, we should aim at tailoring our educational systems to labour market needs, promoting IT projects, and encouraging the networking of research and scientific institutions.
Initiatives like the Danube Strategy represent a new model of integration, a strong binding force, and as such can have a tremendous positive effect on the nature and modalities of European cooperation.
Another valuable dimension is that by encompassing both the EU and non-EU Member States, this initiative provides an additional incentive to their cooperation and a perfect training ground to practice responsibilities awaiting future Member States.
From Croatia’s perspective, I can only confirm the gains of practicing the responsibilities of a future Member State within the Common Foreign and Security Policy.
And Croatia has done so, not only by aligning its positions with those of the EU, but also by participating in EU’s missions and operations within the CDSP.
This is what we consider as an important aspect of our contribution as a future Member State.
However, among the potentials of Croatia’s contribution to the EU one clearly stands out, one I have already mentioned when I said that Croatia has a specific understanding of its neighbourhood.
Although over the past years we have witnessed positive developments, the countries of South East Europe still have a long way ahead, relating both to their respective integration paths, as well as to solving some outstanding issues.
Being aware of that, Croatia will remain persistent in its constructive approach to the region, and calls upon a strong support of the EU and all other relevant international stakeholders which remains to be indispensable.
And this especially goes for those crucial issues that need to be addressed, which are establishing a stable political framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina, solving the name issue between Macedonia and Greece, as well as reaching a positive outcome of the ongoing dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.
Croatia will continue to exercise its responsibility for the region within the EU by sharing its experiences, by listening to the needs of the individual countries and by acting as a strong voice of the European future of all countries in this part of Europe.
And we sincerely hope that our success will encourage other countries to follow on our path.
We hope it will serve as a powerful reminder that determination to rise to the challenge posed by this path will ensure the development they wish for their respective countries and their citizens.
To conclude, in these testing times for EU’s ideals and principles, Croatia will do its utmost as a new Member State to make the EU project of peace, stability and prosperity a continuous success.
Thank you!