ZAGREB, July 22 (Hina) - Croatia-Montenegro relations have progressed a lot in a very short time and there are no open political issues between the two countries, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and Montenegrin President Filip
Vujanovic said in Zagreb on Tuesday.
ZAGREB, July 22 (Hina) - Croatia-Montenegro relations have
progressed a lot in a very short time and there are no open political
issues between the two countries, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino
Picula and Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic said in Zagreb on
Tuesday. #L#
"Montenegro and Croatia have achieved a lot in a very short time...
and we can say a lot has moved forward," Picula told reporters after
the meeting, conceding there still existed mixed feelings in some
parts of the country, especially in the south, because of the war in
the early 1990s.
Good political relations open the possibility of various forms of
cooperation, particularly in the economy, as well as in culture,
science, and education, said Picula.
He also mentioned cooperation within the Stability Pact for South
Eastern Europe and other regional initiatives, and announced for
the coming months talks on cooperation in the construction of roads
and the infrastructure, as well as on border area cooperation.
President Vujanovic expressed satisfaction with today's meeting.
He briefed Picula about the reforms the Montenegrin government has
been undertaking and the country's economy, and called on Croatian
companies to take part in privatisation in Montenegro.
The two officials also discussed bids to join the EU.
"We view Croatia as a state which will help us draw closer to the
European Union," said Vujanovic.
"Croatia is at the door of the European Union. Its experience is
huge and significant... and will help us become a part of the
European family too," he added.
Speaking of minority issues, Picula said the status of Montenegrins
in Croatia and of Croats in Montenegro was "much better than
before".
He expressed satisfaction the Croatian minority in Montenegro had
its representatives in the authorities for the first time since
1938 and that it was socially increasingly active.
President Vujanovic thanked Croatia for its financial and
political support to its Montenegrin minority.
(hina) ha