They concluded that bilateral relations between the two countries were excellent without any open issues and stressed the possibility to improve cooperation in many areas of mutual interest. Particular emphasis was placed on potential for economic cooperation and a possibility for increase in mutual investments.

Minister Jandroković informed Minister Moratinos about the current progress of the accession process and stressed that the Republic of Croatia was fully committed to the fulfilment of the remaining obligations in the negotiations with the European Union in order to complete the technical part of negotiations by the end of this year. He thanked the Kingdom of Spain for its continuous and sincere support provided during negotiations for NATO membership and for excellent cooperation with the Spanish government in all stages of the EU negotiation process.

Minister Moratinos stressed that the Republic of Croatia is at the doorstep of the European Union membership. He expressed that the Spanish government is committed to close as many negotiation chapters with Croatia as possible during its Council presidency thus encouraging the Croatian government to invest additional efforts in the final stage of the negotiation process. The accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union will open the path for other countries in the South East of Europe, said Minister Moratinos.

The two parties also discussed the current situation in the region of South-East Europe and concluded that the two countries share very similar views. They also supported efforts invested by the European Union and other international factors to stabilise the region. Minister Jandroković said that the Government of the Republic of Croatia was prepared to provide advice and expertise to all countries in the region during their rapprochement to the Euro-Atlantic associations. In this context, he reminded that Croatia recently offered the Croatian translations of the European Union acquis to all countries in the region.

They also discussed the today’s summit held in Sarajevo where future possibilities of integration of countries of South-East Europe into the European Union were considered, as well as regional cooperation and the implementation of the necessary reforms in the countries of the region. Minister Jandroković congratulated the Spanish presidency of the Union on the successful organisation of the Sarajevo summit which conveyed an encouraging message to countries in the South East Europe.

The two parties concluded that in the past ten years, since the Zagreb summit, the countries of the region had made significant progress. The most visible positive result of the European perspective, in their opinion, is strengthened regional dialogue and commitment to reconciliation. They also mentioned positive atmosphere between participants in the summit.

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