ROME, Feb 25 (Hina) - The Croatian government enjoys great support in Europe, Italy's Minister for Europe Rocco Buttiglione said after talks with Croatian European Integration Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic in Rome on
Wednesday.
ROME, Feb 25 (Hina) - The Croatian government enjoys great support in
Europe, Italy's Minister for Europe Rocco Buttiglione said after talks
with Croatian European Integration Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic
in Rome on Wednesday.#L#
"I am very satisfied with today's talks because Italy has shown
readiness to help us in all matters that are related to the adoption
of European standards, and we have agreed on cooperation in the areas
of higher education and education in general, the computerisation of
the state administration, and so on," Grabar-Kitarovic said.
"We have agreed on cooperation between Adriatic universities, and
Minister Buttiglione particularly welcomed the first steps of the
Croatian government and its treatment of minorities, especially the
Italian minority," she said.
As regards the ratification of Croatia's Stabilisation and Association
Agreement with the EU by Italy, which was approved by the Italian
Senate last summer, but was put on hold in the House of
Representatives, Grabar-Kitarovic was given assurances that this issue
would be settled as soon as possible. Minister Buttiglione said he
would do all to have the ratification of the agreement put on the
parliament's agenda as soon as possible.
"Your Prime Minister Sanader, whom I met in Berlin and Strasbourg, has
left a good impression on everybody in Europe. Today's talks with
Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic were successful as well. Italy will
support Croatia's admission to the EU on all levels. But, it is up to
you to hurry up in adjusting your legislation with Europe's. It is a
huge number of laws, an entire library, and when you manage to adopt
them, you will be able to join the EU. The door to the EU is wide open
to Croatia, it is up to you to step inside," Buttiglione said.
(Hina) rml sb