The candidate status represents an outstanding opportunity for Croatia within the Stability Pact, Busek told reporters after his first meeting with Zuzul.
The Croatian minister said he appreciated what was done in the region and in Croatia through the Stability Pact. "Croatia is now at a new stage of communication with the European Union... Our position is seen in a new light," he said, voicing confidence the Stability Pact would help Croatia receive additional assistance in adjusting to EU standards.
Zuzul added Croatia would now lead a more active policy in the region, while Busek said the fact that Croatia was going towards Europe was important for the rest of the region as well.
Speaking of the situation in Southeast Europe, Busek said it was improving but that the media were slowly forgetting about this region. Stressing that this region was truly European, he suggested launching a strong campaign for the region because now everybody was talking only about Turkey.
Busek announced a series of events in Croatia this autumn. On October 25 Zagreb is due to host a ministerial conference on local democracy and regional cooperation. The secretariat of the Sava Commission regional project and the headquarters of the Graz Process educational project will move to Zagreb. In November Croatia is expected to host a meeting of more than 40 business people from the region.