ATHENS, Nov 18 (Hina) - Croatia's main political objective is to enter the European Union and NATO, and Greece is one of its friends that support it on that road, Greek President Konsantinos Stephanopoulus said after his talks with
Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic who arrived in Athens on Tuesday for an official three-day visit to Greece.
ATHENS, Nov 18 (Hina) - Croatia's main political objective is to
enter the European Union and NATO, and Greece is one of its friends
that support it on that road, Greek President Konsantinos
Stephanopoulus said after his talks with Croatia's President
Stjepan Mesic who arrived in Athens on Tuesday for an official
three-day visit to Greece. #L#
Addressing reporters, the Greek head of state recalled that he had
visited Croatia last year and that since then many bilateral
meetings had been held on a ministerial level.
"This visit by President Mesic will contribute to the further
development of our ties," Stephanopoulus said.
The two presidents discussed Croatia's bids to enter the EU and NATO
and the political situation in the region. As regards the latter,
they said that it was necessary for Bosnia-Herzegovina to begin
functioning as a united state, and added that relations between
Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro were improving.
"We have agreed that all countries in the region should be admitted
into the EU, but each of them must meet European standards necessary
for the entry into the EU," the Greek head of state said.
The two presidents also talked about a project for constructing the
Adriatic-Ionian Highway, which would connect Greece via Albania,
Montenegro and Croatia with Europe.
Croatia's President thanked his Greek counterpart for the
invitation, describing his visit to Athens as being not only
official but also friendly.
Croatia's delegation notified Greek officials of efforts Zagreb
has so far taken to adjust the national legislation to EU standards.
Mesic added that he and his host had discussed some open issues.
"In order to prove its maturity and functioning of the rule-of-law,
Croatia is interested in seeing that all its citizens return and
take over their property," he told reporters.
He went on to say that Croatia was investing all efforts so that
guilt for what had happened during the war should be individualised
and those who perpetrated crimes should be brought before justice.
"The Hague-based (UN) tribunal helps us in these efforts, and we
fully cooperate with it" Mesic stressed.
He added that he had recently toured all countries set up in the area
of the former Yugoslavia and that presidents of those countries
visited Croatia, too.
"Efforts should be aimed at opening borders and enhancing
cooperation, instead of changing them, and this is what Croatia is
doing," Mesic said.
Asked to assess Croatia's position six month after the end of the
Greek chairmanship over the EU, Stephanopoulus said Croatia could
further count on Greek help, but it was now up to the European
Commission to assess Croatia's application for EU membership.
"We would like to see Croatia enter the EU in 2007," he added.
(hina) ms