The symposium, organised by the Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences, was addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who spoke on the possibility of Croatian scholars and professionals contributing to the transformation of society as the necessary condition for the country's membership of the European Union and NATO.
Grabar-Kitarovic said that EU membership was Croatia's "absolute priority" and that "the implementation of such an ambitious political programme required the support of all segments of society, particularly science, professions, educational institutions and the media."
She said that Croatian scholars should "criticise, correct and encourage" politicians to seek and implement the best solutions and that the country's scientific institutions should establish closer ties with those in Europe.
The minister said that EU membership was on the top of the government's agenda and that it would require deep transformation of society, open a huge market and ensure free movement of people, goods, services and capital. She added that the government's programme promoted the development of all segments of society and made it possible for Croatia to join contemporary global processes, including technological ones.
Grabar-Kitarovic also noted that European integration processes had been included in the political programmes of Croatia's neighbours. "We strongly support these processes in our neighbourhood" because they promote "security, peace, the rule of law and development".
The symposium was addressed by Herwig Roggemann, head of the Centre for German, Croatian, European and Comparative Law, who spoke about international legal cooperation and its importance for regional cooperation in Europe.
Among the speakers were Mario Nobilo, Croatian Ambassador to Slovenia, and Professor Vojin Dimitrijevic from the University of Belgrade. Opening remarks were made by Davorin Rudolf, a member of the Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences.