ZAGREB, July 28 (Hina) - Croatian economic diplomacy must, in an aggressive manner, use Croatia's comparative advantages so as to promote the image of the country on its path towards the membership in the European Union and the
European monetary union, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said on Monday, at the beginning of a seminar on Croatian economic diplomacy.
ZAGREB, July 28 (Hina) - Croatian economic diplomacy must, in an
aggressive manner, use Croatia's comparative advantages so as to
promote the image of the country on its path towards the membership
in the European Union and the European monetary union, Croatian
President Stjepan Mesic and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said on
Monday, at the beginning of a seminar on Croatian economic
diplomacy. #L#
A week before an agreement on cooperation in the encouragement of
export and investment was signed by the foreign ministry, the
economy ministry and the agency for promotion of export and
investment.
The agreement precisely defines tasks, obligations and authorities
of the signatories, said Foreign Minister Picula whose ministry has
organised this two-day seminar.
The recently established economic diplomacy department is
entrusted with the task to expeditiously apply a new model of
promotion of Croatia in the world, Picula added.
The President of the Republic, the Government, the Croatian Chamber
of Economy, the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(HBOR), bankers and businessmen must cooperate in order to upgrade
the country's progress, the head of state Mesic said.
The aim of Croatian economic diplomacy is to help the national
economy to come closer to the EU standards so that Croatia can join
the EU by 2007 and the European monetary union by 2010, he added.
Although much has been done in this field since 2000, the
transformation of Croatia from a small country into a partner is
still under way, Minister Picula said.
Later in the day, ministers of economy, finance and European
integration will address participants in the two-day seminar.
On Tuesday, they will tour Koprivnica-Krizevci County and hold
talks with local entrepreneurs.
The purpose of the seminar for economic advisors in Croatian
embassies and consulates is to help them exchange all important
data on a regular basis.
This sort of seminar was organised last July for the first time.
(hina) ms