The ministers paid special attention to the current events in North Africa and the Middle East, namely Egypt, Libya and Tunisia, the European neighbourhood policy, humanitarian and financial aid to southern neighbours, as well as the Middle East peace process in the existing conditions
The ministers paid special attention to the current events in North Africa and the Middle East, namely Egypt, Libya and Tunisia, the European neighbourhood policy, humanitarian and financial aid to southern neighbours, as well as the Middle East peace process in the existing conditions.
Pointing out that the recent events in North Africa had highlighted the importance of the neighbouring countries’ stability for Europe, Minister Jandroković supported the setting up of an all-encompassing mechanism within the European neighbourhood policy which would cater to the individual needs of the partner countries, namely in regard to political reforms, holding democratic elections, building institutions, fighting corruption, introducing independent judiciary and supporting the civil society. In that sense, Croatia supports the current revision of the European neighbourhood policy.
Minister Jandroković also emphasized the need for a quick joint action in order to avoid humanitarian crisis both in North Africa and the Mediterranean EU members that had seen an influx of refugees.
Stressing that the peace process in the Middle East should not be neglected, he said that its positive development could send an encouraging message to the forces of democracy in the region.
In regard to the situation in Tunisia and Egypt, which has seen an improvement in the last few days, Minister Jandroković expressed hope for a successful transition to the democratically elected governments. He said that the current events in Libya, however, were a cause for concern and condemned the growing repression against the opponents of the regime. Croatia strongly supports the international community’s efforts to prevent violence against the citizens who want democracy, freedom and respect for their rights, said Minister Jandroković, thanking the EU members and candidate countries’ ministers for their outstanding cooperation and assistance in pulling the Croatian citizens from Libya.
On the margins of the meeting, Minister Jandroković held numerous short meetings with the EU members’ foreign ministers, informing them about the efforts the Croatian Government is putting forth in regard to the negotiation process, while they expressed support for the successful closing of Croatia’s accession negotiations and its joining the EU as soon as possible.
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