Minister Žužul on a 2-day working visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels

Minister Žužul met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Alessandro Minuto Rizzo and informed him about the measures and activities of the Croatian government in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria which are the precondition for full NATO membership. Žužul informed Minuto Rizzo about the last week’s meeting of the US-Adriatic Charter members held in Ohrid, Macedonia, pointing out that members of the Charter, Croatia, Macedonia, Albania and the US, are co-operating very well, thus contributing to the stability in the region. Minister Žužul also informed Ambassador Minuto Rizzo about the first group of Iraqi children on treatment in Croatia. Minuto Rizzo expressed his satisfaction with Croatian troops’ contribution to peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan, pointing out the importance of full co-operation with ICTY and the return of refugees.

After meeting with the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Minister Žužul held a lecture entitled “Croatia – the profile of a future NATO and EU member”. Minister Žužul pointed out that NATO represents progress, stability and democracy, and that Croatia accepts the obligations put before it as processes that are in its own interest. Minister Žužul reminded that the criteria put before Croatia are the same as those put before all members of the Alliance, with three specific criteria stemming from the circumstances of war against Croatia. These criteria are justice reform, return of refugees and full co-operation with ICTY. It is worth pointing out that other transition countries also had to harmonise their justice system with that of the developed democracies and that Croatia is not an isolated case, as Minister Žužul said.

As regards the return of the refugees, the number of reconstructed houses and the refugees who have returned is important, said Žužul, but it is more important to create an atmosphere that encourages and facilitates the return of all those that wish to return. Reconciliation is important, said Žužul, reminding that one of the first steps taken by the Croatian government was the establishment of a new and improved dialogue with the minorities in Croatia, especially the Serbian minority.

Speaking about the co-operation with ICTY, Minister Žužul stressed that Croatia does not want to be a victim of one person or a situation it cannot control, as it has no information as regards general Gotovina’s whereabouts.

Ambassador Günter Altenburg commended the Croatian government and the implementation of the reforms necessary for a swift integration into NATO. Relations with Slovenia were also reviewed, whereby Minister Žužul explained the background and circumstances regarding the dispute over the sea border, pointing out that Croatia is willing to settle the dispute through arbitration, pending on the agreement upon the subject with Slovenia and under the condition that both sides are to accept the decision by the international arbitration.