Croatia is a factor of stability and security in the region, it develops good neighbourly relations with all countries in the region. This is in Croatia's interest, but it also must be in the interest of the European Union, Schwimmer said. He added that Croatia was a reliable partner to the European Union and the Council of Europe, which he said had helped Croatia become mature for full membership in the EU.
Schwimmer expressed regret that Croatia's EU entry talks had been postponed. Croatia is politically and economically mature for that step and it offers positive economic development, protection of human rights, development of democracy, etc, he said.
He expressed hope that the accession talks would start as soon as possible and that the Crans Montana Forum in Zagreb would be an encouragement in that sense. The Forum will address numerous topics, including economic development, tourism, foreign investments, power industry, transport, infrastructure, technology, prevention of crime, corruption, human trafficking, etc, he said.
Around 300 participants from EU countries, countries in the region and several Arab countries that are very much interested in the promotion of economic cooperation and investment in Croatia, are expected to attend the event, Schwimmer said.
Croatian Ambassador Zoran Jasic congratulated Schwimmer on a high decoration of merit he received from the Austrian government on Tuesday. Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, who presented Schwimmer with the decoration, said that Schwimmer was a tireless promoter of human rights and stressed his contribution to the expansion of the EU.