ZAGREB, June 4 (Hina) - The Croatian government decided on Wednesday citizens of Serbia-Montenegro (SCG) will be able to enter Croatia without visas for tourist stays lasting up to 90 days. This suspension of visa requirements will be
in force from June 10 through December 31.
ZAGREB, June 4 (Hina) - The Croatian government decided on
Wednesday citizens of Serbia-Montenegro (SCG) will be able to enter
Croatia without visas for tourist stays lasting up to 90 days. This
suspension of visa requirements will be in force from June 10
through December 31. #L#
Government members were agreed this decision was a contribution to
the strengthening and normalisation of relations in the region. The
complete revocation or the extension of the suspension of visas for
SCG will depend on that state's willingness to resolve open issues,
especially those concerning the border, read the decision.
Normalisation of relations with neighbours is a strategic interest
for Croatia and a commitment towards the European Union, said Prime
Minister Ivica Racan.
Speaking of issues which have yet to be solved, he mentioned the
return of stolen land books and registers of births, marriages, and
deaths, as well as border issues. He urged the immediate withdrawal
of Serbian troops from the border.
Logically, the decision on the revocation of visas is made
conditional on the settlement of those issues, said Racan.
Deputy PM Goran Granic said Croatia was interested in resolving
open issues at the "European level", which he said would guarantee
the safety of Croatian borders.
Croatia, Romania, Hungary, and other countries cannot join the EU
if there is a black hole in the centre of Europe, and it is Croatia's
interest that there be no such hole, said Granic.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Simonovic and deputy PM Ante Simonic
said a decision on abolishing visas for SCG should be preceded by
guarantees from the EU that the revocation would not adversely
affect Croatia's liabilities with regard to the EU visa policy.
Simonic said the revocation of visas must be made conditional on the
signing of a readmission treaty, i.e. the admission of illegal
migrants, the return of stolen works of art, and the completion of
the identification of persons gone missing during the 1990s Serbian
aggression on Croatia.
(hina) ha sb