Minister Žužul and Minister Grabar Kitarović met in Bruxelles with Patten, Figel and Rehn

Commissioner Patten said that Croatia needs to keep up the good image it has created among the EU members, that can decline due to an unsettled case in relations with the ICTY. Patten pointed out that open issues with Slovenia need to be solved through bilateral dialogue and commended Croatia’s reservedness as regards the recent incident on the Croatian-Slovenian border. The dispute around the Savudrija bay should be solved, in the spirit of friendly and good neighbourly relations, through dialogue or international arbitration. Patten reiterated his opinion that the issue of Croatia’s acceding to the EU should be considered independently, as it does not relate to other countries’ approaching the EU. He expressed his conviction that the dates of the publication of the start of the negotiations in March 2005 will be published in December this year. Commissioner Patten added that Croatia can serve as an example to its neighbour countries on how to behave responsibly in regional relations and in the process of achieving high standards of European democratisation.

Commissioner-Designate Olli Rehn stressed the importance of full continuation of the co-operation with the ICTY, adding that he expects Croatia’s negotiations with the EU to start early next year. He also pointed out the importance of Croatia’s pre-accession strategy document. He too thinks that in the process of acceding to the EU Croatia should not be grouped with any other country, as each country should have its own way and approach.

Minister Žužul agreed with Commissioner-Designate Rehn on the importance of the Commission’s document on pre-accession strategy for Croatia, who accepts its duties and obligations in fulfilling the standards for a full EU membership.