ZAGREB, June 26 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic received best wishes from his French and Italian counterparts on the occasion of Statehood Day, which Croatia marked on June 25, Mesic's office said on Thursday.
ZAGREB, June 26 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic received
best wishes from his French and Italian counterparts on the
occasion of Statehood Day, which Croatia marked on June 25, Mesic's
office said on Thursday. #L#
In his note, France's Jacques Chirac says that "twelve years after
gaining independence, Croatia more than ever seems certain of its
future and its advantages".
He reiterates France views Croatia's application for EU membership
as "justified", and that France will "extend friendly support to
the efforts Croatia will invest to take the place that by the nature
of things belongs to it in a finally united European family".
President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi says in his note "Italy supports
Croatia in its drawing closer to the European Union and NATO", and
that the progress made in the stabilisation and association process
is encouraging.
Ciampi also says the friendship between Croatia and Italy has an
additional boost in the Italian community in Istria, Kvarner, and
Dalmatia.
(hina) ha sb