ZAGREB, May 29 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula on Thursday presented 12 new projects on cooperation with Oslo to his Norwegian counterpart, Jan Petersen. Norway has been financing many projects in Croatia and is
prepared to assist Croatia to join Euro-Atlantic associations, the two ministers told reporters after talks in Zagreb.
ZAGREB, May 29 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula on
Thursday presented 12 new projects on cooperation with Oslo to his
Norwegian counterpart, Jan Petersen. Norway has been financing
many projects in Croatia and is prepared to assist Croatia to join
Euro-Atlantic associations, the two ministers told reporters after
talks in Zagreb. #L#
Norway is one of few countries which have continued to help Croatia
with some 100 million kuna annually (around EUR13 million),
financing projects on mine removal, infrastructure reconstruction
and reform of the land register system.
Norway wishes to remain present in this part of Europe for a very
long time and applauds Croatia's proposals regarding future joint
projects, Petersen said.
Norway completely supports the International Criminal Court (ICC)
and last summer replied to the U.S. request for exemption of
Americans from this court's jurisdiction that it must consult with
the European Union, although it was not an EU member.
This is not a burning issue for Norway at this time, Petersen said,
adding that Croatia must make its own decision on the issue.
The Croatian minister said he had asked of Norway to participate in
the drawing up of projects aimed at minimising damage from so-
called ballast water in the transport of crude oil via the
Adriatic.
Norway is providing "truly commendable support on our path towards
Euro-Atlantic associations," said Picula and added that the
primary issue here was NATO, of which Norway was a founding member.
Although not in the European Union, Norway is integrated with a so-
called European Economic Area (EEA) and goes by laws and business
policies valid in the EU, except in agriculture and fishing, which
is its second most important branch of economy per capita. Its
population is similar to Croatia's, i.e. 4.5 million.
Two referenda conducted in Norway on accession into the EU have
yielded negative results. But, according to Petersen, the public
opinion in his country was changing and it was possible that Norway
entered the EU one day.
(hina) lml sb