"The policy which is conducted in Istria has made it possible for the region to be bilingual, and Italians as a ethnic minority are exceptionally protected and exercise all rights which members of other ethnic communities have," Jakovcic told a news conference in Pula on Monday, adding that Istrians were proud of the treatment of minorities in this county.
Jakovcic said this commenting on a recent statement by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini who said "it is our obligation within a Europe without borders, which already has 25 member states and which Croatia too will join in due time, to ensure respect for diversity, identity, and minorities that will think, speak and be educated freely in the language of their fathers and grandfathers. This is what we ask for Italians in Istria and Dalmatia".
The statement, given in an unauthorised interview, was published last Wednesday by the Split-based Slobodna Dalmacija daily. The strong-worded headline, which was incongruent with the article, caused many reactions in Croatia.
Jakovcic today voiced regret at Fini's statement which he said "unnecessarily re-opened old wounds from the past". He added that this position was not acceptable in the light of good neighbourly relations or in the light of coexistence in the European family.
The Istrian prefect also criticised some Croatian politicians for overreacting, and supported Prime Minister Ivo Sanader who said that Fini's words should be regarded as "the standpoint of an individual" and not as the official Italian position.
Commenting on the border dispute with Slovenia in Savudrija Bay, Jakovicic said the solution should be sought through international arbitration.
He hailed the Croatian Democratic Union's (HDZ) decision to nominate Jadranka Kosor its presidential candidate. He described her as a skilful woman who has been engaged in very sensitive issues, and went on to say that he was also aware of the great popularity which the incumbent Croatian President Stjepan Mesic enjoyed in Istria.