ZAGREB, Sept 30 (Hina) - Italy would not advise the Croatian government to declare an economic zone in the Adriatic before the Venice conference on fisheries in the Mediterranean scheduled for November 25-26, Italian Minister for
European Affairs Rocco Buttiglione said in Zagreb on Tuesday after talks with his Croatian counterpart Neven Mimica.
ZAGREB, Sept 30 (Hina) - Italy would not advise the Croatian
government to declare an economic zone in the Adriatic before the
Venice conference on fisheries in the Mediterranean scheduled for
November 25-26, Italian Minister for European Affairs Rocco
Buttiglione said in Zagreb on Tuesday after talks with his Croatian
counterpart Neven Mimica. #L#
Asked how Italy might respond if Croatia decided to expand its
jurisdiction in the Adriatic before the Venice conference,
Buttiglione said he would not advise Croatia to do that.
"That's not the method of the European Union. The EU uses dialogue
rather than accomplished facts," Buttiglione said.
The Italian minister said that the issue can be solved only through
talks in line with the European Commission.
Buttiglione, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency
of the European Union, said that "Croatia's political future is the
European Union." He added that Croatia would have to overcome many
obstacles before it entered the EU.
"Italy is ready to help Croatia on that road," he said.
Mimica informed his Italian guest about Croatia's achievements in
the Stabilisation and Association process.
Buttiglione praised the Croatian government for their "brave
decision to extend their hand to the Serbian neighbour," noting
that reconciliation and pardon were important elements in the
building of Europe.
(hina) vm sb