The meeting discussed Croatia's prospects on the path to the European Union and the pace of accession talks, reaffirming the importance of exchange of information within the Croatian diplomatic network and state institutions.
The meeting has showed that EU member states support Croatia's joining the EU as soon as possible and that Croatia's greater involvement in the southeast of Europe would lead to the country's faster joining the Bloc, PM Sanader told a news conference today.
Sanader said that the most important message from the meeting when it came to cooperation in Southeast Europe was that Croatia had to be more active in Southeast Europe, adding that its involvement would help it join the EU faster.
"Europe sees its southeast as a problem and if Croatia can help in finding a solution it will qualify for EU membership faster, the PM said, adding that Croatia cannot be held hostage to Southeast Europe.
He stressed that the majority of ambassadors confirmed that in EU member states were ready to support Croatia.
Sanader said such meetings would be held twice a year, adding that the next one would be held after the summer. Given that Croatia is entering a dynamic and very intensive process of negotiations with and joining the EU, it is important to exchange information with the ambassadors accredited in the EU member states, he said.
Commenting on latest initiatives regarding a free trade zone in western Balkan countries or CEFTA, Sanader said Croatia was taking over the presidency of a very important associations - the Southeast European Cooperation Proceess. "We are taking over the presidency in early May.
Asked if Slovenia could slow down Croatia's joining the EU, Sanader said it was certain that each EU member country could slow down Croatia's path to the EU, adding however that "in principle it backfires on the government" which decided to act that way.
"I am certain of two things -- that Slovenia will not do that and that the EU will not accept such a conduct," the PM said.
Commenting on the debt towards Italian WWII refugees from Croatia called the esuli, Sanader said Croatia would wait for the results of the elections in Italy, scheduled for 9 April and the forming of a new government.
"We will then propose to the Italian Government the settling of the debt, which approximately amounts to 35 million dollars," the PM said.
Commenting on the appearance of avian influenza in Slovenia, Sanader said that competent bodies monitoring the situation. He called on the governments of the countries in the region to follow Croatia's example. "Prevention is better than cure," he said.