Minister Buttiglione, while pointing the friendly and good neighbourly relations between the two states, stressed that Italy sees Croatia as a part of the united Europe. He also added that the Republic of Croatia, owing to the progress achieved in the field of politics and economy, has a significant role in the region.
Having in mind the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference
to begin on 4 October 2003 in Rome, Mr. Šimonović indicated the need
to reflect, during the discussion on the European constitution, on the
mechanisms which will secure place in European institutions for future
members. Mr. Šimonović informed Mr. Buttiglione on the joint initiative
between the Republic of Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Herzegovina
which is to facilitate the reintegration of refugees, and indicated
the importance of the support that the European Union could lend to
this process.