ZAGREB, April 22 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and the international community's High Representative to Bosnia, Paddy Ashdown, on Tuesday discussed the "European dimension of cooperation" between the two countries
and the struggle against organised crime, the two officials said in brief statements after the talks.
ZAGREB, April 22 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula
and the international community's High Representative to Bosnia,
Paddy Ashdown, on Tuesday discussed the "European dimension of
cooperation" between the two countries and the struggle against
organised crime, the two officials said in brief statements after
the talks. #L#
"We primarily spoke about the European dimension of cooperation...
about how Croatia can help Bosnia in the transfer of state
administration," said Picula, stressing that "nowhere are
transition reforms being carried out in as difficult circumstances
as they are in Bosnia".
Ashdown said that the progress that Croatia had achieved in the area
of European integration had caused exhilaration in the entire
Balkans and international community.
The determination and focus with which the Croatian government is
approaching the issue of European integration is a model which
others should consider, said Ashdown.
He said he had spoken with Picula about lessons which some other
countries of the West Balkans, especially Bosnia, could draw from
the Croatian example.
To reach the goal which it plans to accomplish by 2009 - admission to
the EU, Bosnia should examine the mechanisms, structures,
determination and political will which the Croatian government is
using to realise its goal, said Ashdown. He pointed to the
importance of establishing institutional frameworks.
He applauded any assistance which Croatia could give Bosnia in that
regard.
The two officials also discussed the fight against organised crime.
Picula particularly underlined the cooperation between the two
countries' border services.
The region does not have a trade, economic or political zone, but
there is regional organised crime, Ashdown warned.
Organised crime knows no ethnic backgrounds, it uses Croatia's and
Bosnia's borders as shelters, he added.
The key issue in the region's efficient struggle against organised
crime is cross-border cooperation, the two officials agreed.
The High Representative believes that organised crime is the
biggest threat to Europe.
He commended Croatia's stand towards the policy in Bosnia,
stressing this was one of the foundations on which Bosnia's moves
towards reforms, stability and integration with Europe were
founded.
Regarding refugees, Ashdown and Picula agreed that the problem
should be solved bilaterally and trilaterally.
The High Representative announced that Bosnian authorities would
take over care about this issue from the international community
late this year.
(hina) lml