The two parties agreed that additional efforts need to be invested in the strengthening of economic bilateral cooperation. They expressed their satisfaction with the recently signed cooperation agreement between the national agencies for the stimulation of investments and with the tomorrow’s meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation in Sofia.
Minister Jandroković informed his colleague about the current status of the Croatian accession negotiations with the European Union. He thanked for the support provided by Bulgaria to Croatia on Croatia’s path towards NATO membership, and for the current support in the process of accession to the European Union. The Croatian side was particularly interested in Bulgarian experiences during the negotiation process with the Union, and in those acquired after accession into full membership. The also discussed the organisation of Bulgarian public administration before and after accession to the Union membership and the Bulgarian experiences with attracting assistance from other funds. Minister Jandroković said that the Republic of Croatia would appreciate any kind of consulting assistance related to institutional adjustment and quality preparation of projects for the financing from the European Union funds.
Minister Mladenov extended a clear and open support to quick accession of the Republic of Croatia into the European Union.
The ministers also discussed the current political and security situation in the South-East Europe and in that context they assessed that the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Bulgaria might be very important factors in the process of stabilisation and rapprochement of the entire region to Euro Atlantic integrations. They stressed that both countries share a vital interest in a diverse development of the region in order to turn it into an area of peace and prosperity. They supported all efforts invested by the European Union and the international community into stabilisation of South East Europe and exchanged opinions on the upcoming conference on the European Union-Western Balkans in Sarajevo.