ZAGREB, March 27 (Hina) - Croatia has always been and will continue to be part of Europe, Michael Weninger, advisor to the European Commission President on dialogue with churches and religious communities, said in Zagreb on
Saturday.
ZAGREB, March 27 (Hina) - Croatia has always been and will continue to
be part of Europe, Michael Weninger, advisor to the European
Commission President on dialogue with churches and religious
communities, said in Zagreb on Saturday.#L#
The close associate of EC President Romano Prodi took part in a
seminar entitled "Shaping Croatian Mentality for Admission to the EU",
which was organised by the Croatian European Integration Ministry and
the World Conference of Religions for Peace.
In a short address to the meeting, Weninger recalled the Croats'
cultural and political contribution to Europe, emphasising the role of
Vice-Roy Josip Jelacic in the "salvaging" of Europe in the
revolutionary 1848.
European Integration Minister Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic said that
efforts should be made to make EU values appreciated in Croatia, so
that the country's admission to the EU goes without surprises.
"Croatian citizens have so far continually demonstrated strong support
for admission to the EU, but that support must be based on the
understanding of the EU's mentality, which is why it is important that
citizens are well informed," the minister said.
Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic said that the promotion of Europe's
Christian roots could only contribute and not hamper the integration
of Europe, without excluding the contribution of other religions.
Apart from state officials, the meeting was attended by heads of
religious communities in Croatia.
Varazdin bishop Marko Culej said that meeting political, economic,
legal and military criteria was not enough for admission to the EU.
"The true values of the EU can be realised only among people who
respect one another, regardless of the size of their countries or
population," Culej said.
The head of the Islamic community in Croatia, Sevko Omerbasic, said
that Europe was predominantly a Christian continent, but that one
should not ignore the fact that it was also a multireligious
continent, with Jewish presence and some 30 million Muslims.
He commended Croatia's model of regulating the status of Muslims as
one of the best in Europe and added that EU countries would need the
experience from this area in solving the Muslim issue.
The seminar was also addressed by representatives of the Serb Orthodox
Church, Baptist and Evangelical churches, and the coordinating body of
Jewish communities in Croatia.
(Hina) rml