First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić presented today the activities of the Centre of Excellence, which gathers experts that took part in Croatia’s EU negotiations, as well as those who can transfer their experience and know-how regarding preparations for the EU and NATO to countries in the region and the wider neighbourhood of the Southern Mediterranean.
“The know-how and experience gained during negotiations is Croatia’s intellectual property of sorts that we can use in cooperation with the countries in the region,” Pusić said, adding there was nothing more dangerous than a dysfunctional state. "Croatia is neither a regional nor world power,” she said, “but it is nevertheless a significant factor in the region and we should use that potential.” Pusić underlined that alignment with European institutions was a lengthy process which would not stop when Croatian entered the EU.
The Centre of Excellence is Croatia’s initiative and projects, but it is our wish to work together with the member states in transferring the know-how, Pusić said. Visiting Croatia today is Montenegro’s chief negotiator Andrija Pejović, while next week head of Croatia’s mission to the EU Vladimir Drobnjak and assistant minister Hrvoje Marušić would travel to Belgrade to discuss the transfer of negotiation experience.
Speaking more in detail about the Centre was its director Mirna Vlašić Feketija, who said the Centre employed different approaches to assistance and experience exchange depending on the status of a country in regards to the EU accession or NATO membership preparations, as well as the country’s specific needs and requests. So far four seminars have been held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with some 140 persons in attendance and involving 10 experts from Croatia. Three study visits are being arranged with Montenegro, while earlier this week reporters from Serbia visited Zagreb for a seminar on judiciary and fundamental rights. Projects and seminars are also planned with Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Moldova and Tunisia, the director said.
Pusić underlined that this form of cooperation was important for the relations in the region, adding that cooperation with other Croatian institutions such as the Croatian Chamber of Economy and the Public Administration State School would continue.