Expressing satisfaction over being invited to deliver a lecture at this prestigious institution, Minister Jandroković congratulated the Royal Institute of International Affairs its 90th anniversary
Expressing satisfaction over being invited to deliver a lecture at this prestigious institution, Minister Jandroković congratulated the Royal Institute of International Affairs its 90th anniversary.
In his lecture, he laid out the complete image of Croatia on a wider international scene and gave an overview of the road Croatia had travelled in the past 20 years to reach its current position of a democratic country with market economy.
Saying that the ability to overcome all of the obstacles in the past had solidified the democratic foundations, as well as the Euro-Atlantic aspirations and transatlantic dedication, the minister pointed out as proof of Croatia’s transformation the accession to full-fledged NATO membership in April the year before. In a short period, he said, Croatia has grown from a foreign aid recipient into an active participant in the preservation of global peace and security. Today, Croatia is taking part in 14 peacekeeping mission led by the UN, EU and NATO, with the fundamental international peacekeeping engagement in ISAF.
In regard to Croatia’s achievements, Minister Jandroković also remarked on the course of Croatia’s EU negotiations. Pointing out that the previous month’s EC Croatia Progress Report had been decidedly positive, he added it was realistic to expect the closing of the negotiations and signing the Accession Treaty the following year. In that regard, he emphasized the importance of the encouraging signals Croatia was receiving from its European partners, especially the announcement of Hungary’s priorities during its EU presidency in the context of closing Croatia’s negotiations in that period.
Minister Jandroković also spoke about Croatia’s cooperation with the ICTY, refugee return and minority protection. Finally, he pointed out the diplomatic efforts Croatia was putting forth to strengthen partnerships on the political and economic level.
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