With reference to a Communication of the European Commission in the Republic of Croatia and diverse statements and interpretations regarding the Croatian Protected Ecological and Fishing Zone

With reference to a Communication of the European Commission in the Republic of Croatia and diverse statements and interpretations regarding the Croatian Protected Ecological and Fishing Zone, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration wishes to reiterate that on June 3, 2004 the Croatian Parliament passed Decision on the Expansion of Croatian Jurisdiction in the Adriatic Sea. The Decision states that the implementation of procedures concerning the Croatian Protected Ecological and Fishing Zone in relation to EU member states will start after the Agreement on a Fishing Partnership between the European Union and the Republic of Croatia is concluded. On the 4th of June 2004, one day after passing the Decision, a trilateral meeting between the representatives of the Republic of Croatia, the Italian Republic and the Republic of Slovenia was held in Brussels in the presence of a representative of the European Commission, where the Croatian Party informed the Parties on the Decision passed by the Croatian Parliament a day earlier.

This order of events clearly attests to the fact that no negotiations were conducted at the meeting or agreements signed concerning the Croatian Parliament’s Decision. In accordance with diplomatic usage, Minutes of the Meeting were agreed and signed, confirming that the report by the Croatian side was duly noted. Hence, the agreed Minutes are a document stating topics discussed at the meeting. Interpretations stating that the Minutes might be taken as a legally binding document are completely groundless.

The readiness of all participants to continue the dialogue was also confirmed at the meeting and the Republic of Croatia used numerous opportunities to initiate negotiations on the Agreement of Fishing Partnership between the European Union and the Republic of Croatia and thus define relations and regulations for the Adriatic, in accordance with the EU fishing policy, so as to ensure equal status for Croatian fishermen and permanent protection of rich fishing resources of the Adriatic.

The results of the meeting in Brussels on June 4, 2004 were welcomed by the European Council Conclusions as well. Also, the screening report (on Chapter 13, Fishing) explicitly states that this Decision (the Decision of the Croatian Parliament) was noted during the trilateral meeting between the Republic of Croatia, Italy and Slovenia in the presence of the Commission, on June 4, 2004.

In the meantime, the Republic of Croatia attained candidate status for full membership in the EU and began negotiations, thus going beyond the status of so called third countries with which the European Union signs Agreements on Fishing Partnership. Due to the new and improved status of the Republic of Croatia, the need to reconsider the Decision on the Croatian Protected Ecological and Fishing Zone arose. A diplomatic dialogue was initiated on the subject with European partners and the European Commission by means of a series of the Council for Stabilization and Association meetings.

On the strength of these objective facts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration can not accept interpretations that could imply attempts to limit the rights of institutions of the Republic of Croatia to pass conscientious and sovereign decisions on fishing in the Adriatic, taking into account the protection of Croatian fishing and ecological interests. The Republic of Croatia remains open and ready to approach all questions related to using and protecting the fishing and ecological resources of the Adriatic in the spirit of neighbourliness, dialogue and European standards.