Ministarstvo vanjskih i europskih poslova

State Secretary Pejčinović Burić participated in panel discussion themed “Bruxelles is far away, Europe is near” in Burgenland

State Secretary for European Integration Marija Pejčinović Burić. M. Sc., participated in the panel discussion themed “Bruxelles is far away, Europe is near” in Burgenland, Republic of Austria, on Wednesday, 13 June 2007, and met with representatives of the Croatian minority in Burgenland

The panel discussion themed “Bruxelles is far away, Europe is near” was organized on the initiative of the Burgenland Europa Forum, Alpbach Burgenland Club, Europaforum Burgenland and Club Burgenland, and was attended, alongside State Secretary Pejčinović Burić, by State Secretary for European and International Affairs and Minorities of the Republic of Austria Hans Winkler, Member of European Parliament Huber Pirker, as well as representatives of Burgenland, and others.

In her speech at the panel discussion, State Secretary Pejčinović Burić spoke of the interweaving of Croatian history with histories of numerous countries which are members of the European Union today, especially Austria. In this sense, she said, Croatia has always been part of European political and cultural circles, and therefore it is unquestionable that Croatia will also share the European future, as a full member of the European Union. Speaking about activities that the Croatian Government pursues in Croatia’s nearing the European Union, State Secretary Pejčinović Burić put special emphasis on the Communication Strategy for informing the Croatian public on the European Union and preparations for membership, as well as National EU Accession Forums.

During her visit to Burgenland, State Secretary Pejčinović Burić met with representatives of the Croatian minority in the Republic of Austria, and talked, among others, with the Federal Advisor on Agrarian Issues Niki Berlakovich, representative in the Federal Assembly and the president of the association of municipalities Leo Radakovits, and the president of the Croatian Cultural Association in Burgenland, Robert Szucsich. The Burgenland Croats reported on their activities while State Secretary Pejčinović Burić complimented and endorsed their further efforts.



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