As a new step forward in the building of even stronger and more intensive cooperation between the two countries, the ministers signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Government of the Italian Republic. Describing the Memorandum as yet another confirmation of the two countries’ friendly relations, Minister Jandroković said it also proves the two sides’ readiness to continue enhancing and strengthening the bilateral cooperation in all areas. In that regard, the Memorandum foresees a setting up of a coordination committee composed of the two countries’ relevant ministers that would meet annually with the aim of widening the scope of cooperation. The first committee’s ministerial meeting is scheduled for spring this year in Rome.
Regarding the current state of Croatia’s EU accession negotiations, Minister Jandroković informed Minister Frattini that it is still Croatia’s goal to complete them by end-2009. He thanked the Italian side for the support, as well as for ratifying the Protocol on the NATO Enlargement to the Republic of Croatia.
In his speech to members of home and foreign press, Minister Jandroković pointed out that Croatia remains firm in its position that in not one of the documents used in the accession negotiations has it prejudged a final solution to the border issue with Slovenia, and strongly supports the European Union’s principle that bilateral issues should not be dragged into the negotiating process, but should be solved bilaterally. “We believe that a mutually satisfaction solution will be found”, said Minister Jandroković.
Minister Frattini pointed out that the Italian Republic wishes for the issue to be solved during the Czech presidency and in the European spirit, as it considers both of its neighbours as its economic and political partners. He added that Slovenia’s blockade should not hinder Croatia on its way to the EU, and that the Italian Republic and EU are trying to reconcile the two countries and doing everything they can for the Croatian and Slovenian governments to reach an agreement.
As regards the bilateral economic relations, the ministers expressed satisfaction with their course. Italy is Croatia’s number one trade partner, as well as Croatia’s largest export market – 20% of Croatia’s overall trade goers to the Italian market. The ministers also reviewed the possibilities of further developing the economic relations, while the Memorandum signed today will also contribute to the strengthening of the economic ties in activities of mutual interest, especially in the field of energy supply and infrastructural projects.