The statement expressed Croatia's full commitment to promoting good neighbourly relations and reaffirmed the country's full readiness to continue cooperation and start a dialogue with the European Commission and interested European Union countries with a view to strengthening their joint efforts in protecting biological resources and the marine environment in the Adriatic.
The ecological and fisheries protection zone, proclaimed by the Croatian Parliament on October 3, 2003, relates to the research, exploitation, preservation and management of living natural resources beyond the outer border of the Croatian territorial waters and jurisdiction over the scientific exploration of the sea and the protection and preservation of the marine environment.
In accordance with the Croatian Parliament's decision of June 3, 2004, the zone regime will not apply to ships sailing under European Union member states' flags until the European Community and Croatia conclude a fisheries partnership agreement, the statement said.
The Foreign Ministry said that Croatia was actively involved in preparations for the start of talks on a fisheries partnership treaty with the EU and was taking appropriate measures to promote and protect the interests of Croatian fishermen.
The government body in charge of coordinating the surveillance and protection of Croatia's internal maritime waters, territorial waters and ecological and fisheries protection zone will also play an important role in enforcing the ecological and fisheries protection zone.
The statement said that the start of the enforcement of the ecological and fisheries protection zone would in no way affect the freedom of navigation and the enjoyment of rights by third countries in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and international customary law.