State Secretary Pejčinović Burić received Swedish European Affairs Minister Malmström

State Secretary Pejčinović Burić and Minister Malmström agreed that the relations between Croatia and Sweden are very good and friendly, with no outstanding issues. Of all the Scandinavian countries, it is precisely with Sweden that Croatia has the most developed economic co-operation, said State Secretary Pejčinović Burić.

As regards Croatia’s EU accession, State Secretary Pejčinović Burić thanked the Swedish side for its support. She reported on the course of the membership negotiations, pointing out that we believe Sweden’s presidency in the latter half of 2009 will be of extreme importance for Croatia, since it is our goal by that time to end the negotiations and sign the Accession Treaty.

Minister Malmström said that EU enlargement will be one of the priorities of Sweden’s EU presidency, adding that the Swedish side recognises the efforts Croatia is putting forth in its EU accession and will continue to offer its support. Recent visits by Swedish high officials to Croatia are an indication of a further deepening of the bilateral relations, said Minister Malmström.

The Croatian and Swedish side also exchanged opinions about the situation in the region.