State Secretary Biščević talked in Belgrade with Koštunica and Grnogorčević

Biščević and Koštunica reviewed the condition of mutual relations between Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro and pointed out the readiness to continue solving the remaining open issues between the two countries, especially in the light of the pending visit by Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader to Belgrade before the end of year and his talks with the Serbian and Montenegrin leaders. The two also stressed the readiness to conclude the negotiations about the Agreement on the Protection of Minorities and continue with the dialogue on border and humanitarian issues, including the issue of missing persons. State Secretary Biščević communicated Croatian government’s determination to consistently implement the plan for the return of the refugees and the return and reconstruction of their property.

Biščević talked with Assistant Foreign Minister Crnogorčević about the start of the activities of the working groups for succession issues, co-operation between justice ministries, traffic co-operation, energetics and other fields of economic relations, as well as the return of the cultural wealth. It was confirmed that both countries are interested in developing good neighbourly relations in the context of further approaching the EU. Biščević informed Crnogorčević about the current situation in the relations between Croatia and the EU, and positively reviewed the recent adoption at the National Assembly of the resolution on Serbia and Montenegro’s approaching the EU.