The host, Osijek-Baranja County prefect Kresimir Bubalo, said the county was one of the most mine-infested in Croatia, with about 200 square kilometres of land still planted with mines, which he said was a major hurdle to the economy and tourism.
About 37 square km of land in Kopacki Rit still has to be cleared of mines, which calls for raising about HRK500 million, while about HRK2 billion is necessary for the demining of the entire county. Bubalo said he was unhappy with demining so far, stressing that the county would not be cleared of mines for another 50-60 years unless the state invested more money and stepped up the pace.
Mesic described today's visit as important, saying that tourism was Croatia's greatest potential. "It's evident that, apart from the tourism developing on the coast, continental Croatia also has great chances, but this requires a quality presentation," he said, adding that the goal of today's visit was to ask foreign countries for assistance in demining.
The French ambassador expressed interest in his country becoming involved.
Mesic said he was especially pleased that his Montenegrin counterpart was visiting Kopacki Rit today, adding that the talks the two held during Vujanovic's visit to Croatia were "friendly and successful".
Asked by the press if Vujanovic would initiate the dismissal of two senior officials over allegations of war crimes committed in Croatia, Mesic said Croatia and Montenegro had signed an agreement based on which their state prosecutor's offices had established the accountability of a number of persons for war crimes.
"President Vujanovic and I personally launched that initiative and nobody who committed a war crime can be exempt from guilt," said Mesic.
Vujanovic said he was very pleased with his visit to Croatia, the first since Montenegro declared independence last May, and that a number of issues had been raised in friendly dialogue.
Amongst some 70 diplomats in Croatia who visited Kopacki Rit were the ambassadors of the US, Russia, Ukraine, China, Libya, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Macedonia.