LUXEMBOURG LUXEMBOURG, Jan 29 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula on Wednesday officially visited Luxembourg, as a part of his tour across European Union cities, which is aimed at lobbying for support to Croatia's
candidacy for membership of the European Union.
LUXEMBOURG, Jan 29 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula
on Wednesday officially visited Luxembourg, as a part of his tour
across European Union cities, which is aimed at lobbying for
support to Croatia's candidacy for membership of the European
Union. #L#
Picula expressed satisfaction with his visit to Luxembourg and
talks with his counterpart Lydie Polfer. He told Hina in a telephone
interview that another step was taken towards "creating a positive
atmosphere for the submission of Croatia's application for
membership of the EU next month".
Luxembourg's minister expressed understanding and support for
Croatia's move, Picula said and added that he was told that
Luxembourg's parliament would ratify the Stabilisation and
Association Agreement between Croatia and the EU next month.
During the talks, Picula reiterated Croatia's readiness to fulfil
all international obligations, including cooperation with the
Hague-based war crimes tribunal, continuation of reforms, full
democratisation, and the fulfilment of the Copenhagen conditions
set to all EU candidates.
The two ministers signed an administrative agreement on the
application of their social insurance agreement.
The talks also tackled further development of the two countries'
cooperation. Luxembourg expressed readiness to continue cooperate
in Croatia's mine removal projects.
Picula particularly pointed to the importance of Luxembourg as
Europe's financial centre. He said that Luxembourg is in the fourth
place among countries which invest in Croatia.
(hina) it sb