Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović met today, July 12, 2005, with the Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Laila Freivalds

Minister Grabar-Kitarović said the bilateral relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Kingdom of Sweden were very good, with no open issues left, and that the relations would be further strengthened, especially in the field of economy. Minister Grabar-Kitarović thanked Sweden on its humanitarian and technical help. The minister also reported on the reforms introduced in the legal system, on the progress in regional co-operation, and on the implementation of the Croatian Government Action Plan. She also said she believed in the further enlargement of the European Union, and in a soon start of Croatia's EU entry negotiations.

The Kingdom of Sweden Foreign Affairs Minister Laila Freivalds said Sweden supported further enlargement of the European Union, and that she wished for the countries in the region, particularly Croatia, to join the Union as soon as possible, since this was very important to Croatia and the region, as well as to the European Union. Within this context, she announced Sweden would provide technical help to Croatia and share its experiences in joining the European Union, in order to introduce reforms as soon as possible, through the set up of particular projects. The Swedish Minister stressed the importance of co-operation among the countries in the region, commending the steps taken so far in order for the Croatian Government Action Plan to be implemented.