ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - Speaking at a government session on Thursday, Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader described his first foreign tour as successful, stating that at the beginning of his term of offic he wanted to make a
diplomatic offensive to introduce the new Croatian government and its strategic goals - admission to the European Union and NATO. During his first foreign tour, Sanader visited the Vatican, Berlin, Brussels and Strasbourg, where he held talks with top EU and NATO officials.
ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - Speaking at a government session on Thursday,
Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader described his first foreign tour
as successful, stating that at the beginning of his term of offic he
wanted to make a diplomatic offensive to introduce the new Croatian
government and its strategic goals - admission to the European Union
and NATO. During his first foreign tour, Sanader visited the Vatican,
Berlin, Brussels and Strasbourg, where he held talks with top EU and
NATO officials.#L#
All EU officials, including European Commission President Romano
Prodi, have voiced strong support to Croatia's efforts to officially
become an EU candidate by the summer, Sanader said.
There is no legal basis for the EC to make the publication of its
opinion of Croatia's membership application conditional on the
ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA)
between Croatia and the EU, Sanader said adding that Zagreb must meet
all political and other criteria from the SAA to obtain candidate
status. Croatia will launch diplomatic activities to resolve
outstanding issues, he said.
"The new government will not lose a moment of time on its road to the
EU... we must demonstrate our determination and show that Croatia is a
mature member of the international community," the PM said.
Government members also discussed preparations for admission to NATO.
"NATO's policy towards Croatia may not have been so dynamic as
expected, but we have to start that dynamic," Sanader said. Croatia
will be invited to the next NATO summit in Istanbul, and "we would be
satisfied with a status different than that of a mere observer".
According to a proposal that was adopted at the session, the
government will receive reports on preparations for admission to NATO
at least once a month.
The government also adopted a draft national programme for admission
to the EU for 2004 and an operative plan for the implementation of the
programme, as well as an overview of measures and activities
encompassed by projects financed by the CARDS programme for 2004.
At the start of the session, Sanader recalled that today was the 12th
anniversary of Croatia's recognition by the international community.
Iceland was the first to recognise Croatia. On 13 January 1992, the
Vatican did the same, on 15 January 1992, the country was recognised
by the then 12 EU members, as well as by Austria, Bulgaria, Canada,
Hungary, Malta, Poland and Switzerland.
Until admission to the U.N. on 22 May 1992, Croatia was recognised,
among others, by Russia, Japan, the United States, Israel and China.
(Hina) rml sb