Minister Stächele pointed out that Baden-Württemberg supports Croatia in its acceding to the EU and appreciates the efforts Croatia is undertaking to that end, emphasising that Baden-Württemberg has always considered Croatia a constituent part of Europe. Discussing about the further modalities of co-operation, State Secretary Kuprešak and Minister Stächele agreed that work needs to be put into linking the Croatian and Baden-Württemberg’s cities – there are 7 partner towns so far, with the aim of increasing that number. At the end of the meeting, both sides expressed hope for the continuation of the bilateral co-operation between Croatia and Baden-Württemberg.
State Secretary Kuprešak held a speech 13 October as a part of the consular consultations held at the Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia to Stuttgart, 13 and 14 October. Speeches were also held by Assistant Minister at the MFAEI Directorate for Consular Affairs Vinko Ljubičić, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Interior Affairs Žarko Katić, and Croatian Consul General to Stuttgart Vera Tadić.
The consultations gathered 40 odd personnel of consular departments of the Croatian diplomatic missions and consular offices throughout Europe, as well as a few representatives from the Ministry of Interior Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and Central State Office for Administration. The purpose of the consultations is to standardise the activities of the diplomatic mission and consular offices, and get familiar with the rules the harmonisation of the Croatian legal provisions with the acquis communautaire brings.