ZAGREB, Oct 30 (Hina) - If all political aspects and economic achievements are taken into account, there is no difference between Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said in an interview with Croatian
Television on Thursday evening.
ZAGREB, Oct 30 (Hina) - If all political aspects and economic
achievements are taken into account, there is no difference between
Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
said in an interview with Croatian Television on Thursday evening.
#L#
Answering a question about possibilities for Croatia to enter the
European Union in 2007, Schroeder, the first German chancellor to
visit Croatia since it gained independence, said Croatia was coming
closer to the European Union, and described it as the most stable
country in the region.
"Achievements of the current Croatian government are completely
positive. Great efforts have been invested and the results are
visible," the German leader said, adding that "Croatia needs the EU
and the EU needs Croatia.
Asked to comment on the British and Dutch suspension of processes of
the ratification of the Croatia-EU Stabilisation and Association
Agreement because of the case of fugitive general Gotovina,
Schroeder said that talks should be held with the two countries in a
friendly manner.
"The two countries should be persuaded that great progress has been
achieved in cooperation (with the UN war crimes tribunal) and that
much has been done," the Chancellor said, adding that he thought the
Croatian government's endeavours were evident.
During his day-long working visit to Zagreb, Schroeder held talks
with Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and Premier Ivica Racan, and
attended a ceremony at which a German-Croatian trade and industry
chamber was established.
(hina) ms