The collocutors expressed their satisfaction with the excellent and friendly relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Macedonia, and they also pointed out the exceptional cooperation between the two ministers. The bilateral relations between the two states are characterised by an intensive political dialogue, no outstanding issues, and commitment to further stabilisation of the South East European region.
Minister Jandroković congratulated his colleague on the lifting of the EU visa regime for the Republic of Macedonia and on the positive Progress Report of the European Commission, as well as on the recommendation to start the negotiations for full membership of the European Union. In addition, he emphasised Croatia’s support for Macedonia’s membership in NATO as soon as possible.
In the discussion concerning negotiations of the Republic of Croatia with the European Union, Minister Jandroković pointed out that all the necessary preconditions were fulfilled to successfully conclude the technical part of the negotiations. He also emphasised that Croatia’s accession negotiations have a strategic importance for other South East European states, and that an uninterrupted follow-up to the negotiations was important not only for the stability and future of the region, but also for developing the European project in general. He said that that Croatia fully supported Macedonia’s membership in the EU, and it was willing to continue sharing its knowledge and experiences in the area of European integration with the Republic of Macedonia.
In the area of bilateral interests, the ministers pointed out the treaty law serving as the basis, among other things, for the implementation of the provisions on the protection of the Croatian national minority in the Republic of Macedonia, and the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Croatia. Moreover, the two states have a very successful parliamentary and cultural bilateral cooperation.
They also touched upon regional initiatives pointing out the successful and intensive cooperation between the two states, especially within the Regional Cooperation Council. The ministers exchanged views on the current political and security situation in South East Europe and the upcoming conference of SEE countries, which is jointly organised by the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Slovenia. After they exchanged their views regarding the issue of succession of the assets of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Ministers expressed the need to harmonise their viewpoints and to achieve a closer coordination between the two states.
The collocutors concluded that in the area of economic relations and trade there was room for further improvement, and a desire to raise them to a higher level, while the Croatian companies showed significant interest in stronger presence and investments in the Macedonian market.
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