VIENNA, Feb 16 (Hina) - Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero Waldner said to her Croatian counterpart Miomir Zuzul in Vienna on Monday her country strongly supported Croatia's efforts to join the EU.
VIENNA, Feb 16 (Hina) - Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero
Waldner said to her Croatian counterpart Miomir Zuzul in Vienna on
Monday her country strongly supported Croatia's efforts to join the
EU.#L#
"Austria will continue to strongly support Croatia on its road to the
EU and it will support all of Croatia's European ambitions, whether it
be in the political field, where we are making efforts to help Croatia
obtain the 'avis' as soon as possible, or in different projects,"
Ferrero Waldner said after meeting Zuzul.
She voiced hope that the European Commission's opinion on Croatia's
membership bid will be made public in spring. "We have always stressed
that Croatia is a special partner to us, we have traditionally very
good friendly relations with Croatia, which are not only the result of
historical circumstances but primarily of an excellent economic
cooperation," the minister said.
Austria is the leading direct investor in Croatia and its exports to
Croatia have almost tripled since 1995, she said.
Ferrero Waldner was hopeful that Croatia, if it met its commitments,
would join the EU with Bulgaria and Romania.
This was a friendly talk between colleagues from two friendly
countries which want to promote their relations, Zuzul said, stressing
that he was very satisfied with the meeting. "Once again we have been
given strong assurances that Austria will continue supporting the
concrete schedule and programme under which we would obtain the
'avis'," he said, adding he hoped that the European Commission would
give Croatia a positive response in spring and that the European
Council would respond positively in June.
The two officials discussed a number of bilateral issues as well as
concrete assistance that Austria can give Croatia in reorganising the
administration system and finding ways to facilitate foreign
investments.
Asked to comment on the current situation in Serbia and Montenegro,
Zuzul said he hoped the country would manage to form a coalition
government with a vision of development leading in the direction of
the EU. "We are concerned about the statements of some Radical Party
members, but our concern did not prevent us from having an open
attitude towards Serbia and Montenegro. This was proven with our
decision to extend the visa-free regime with Serbia and Montenegro
until the end of June. We believe that by doing so we are
demonstrating openness to efforts to strengthen relations with that
country now and in the future. We don't want any elements to occur
which could hamper the return of refugees who want to return. Our
policy towards Serbia and Montenegro is a policy of openness," Zuzul
concluded.
He added that Croatia and Austria shared the same views regarding the
situation in the region.
(Hina) rml sb