Minister Gordan Jandroković held lecture entitled “Basic Strategic Guidelines of Croatia’s Foreign Policy” at Ban Josip Jelačić War College

As Croatia’s basic foreign-policy guidelines, Minister Jandroković pointed out the EU and NATO membership, leadership role in South Eastern Europe, and the continuation of activities as a non-permanent UN Security Council member. Emphasizing that Croatia’s international position has never been better, Minister Jandroković said that Croatia expects to become a full-fledged NATO member as early as April next year, at its summit in Strasbourg and Kehl commemorating its 60th anniversary. Minister Jandroković also said that Croatia is drawing closer and closer to the EU membership as well, as confirmed by the recent European Commission’s Progress Report, accompanied by the framework schedule for the completion of the EU negotiations by end-2009.

Apart from the success in acceding to the Euro-Atlantic structures, Minister Jandroković pointed out that in the foreign-policy segment relative to the neighbouring countries, Croatia has the role of a leader and example in South Eastern Europe. As equally important he noted the fact that Croatia has been actively participating in the world policy for a full year as a non-permanent UN Security Council member. He emphasized that out of 16 peacekeeping missions that Croatia is participating in, 13 are UN-organized, which positions Croatia among the largest contributors to the UN missions.