BRUSSELS BRUSSELS, Feb 19 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula on Tuesday held talks with the European Union's High Representative for the Common Security and Foreign Policy, Javier Solana, at the end of the second day of
his visit to Brussels. According to Picula, the talks focused on the situation in the region, including current developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina, talks between Belgrade and Podgorica on the future of the joint federation, and the situation in Macedonia. "I have conveyed the Croatian government's stand that Belgrade and Podgorica should reach a compromise solution, because Croatia, protecting its economic and political interests, wants such a neighbourhood which will be safe from political crises and will not affect our international position," Picula said after the meeting. Picula said Solana was optimistic with regard to the situation in Macedonia, hoped for a favourable outcome of
BRUSSELS, Feb 19 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula
on Tuesday held talks with the European Union's High Representative
for the Common Security and Foreign Policy, Javier Solana, at the
end of the second day of his visit to Brussels.
According to Picula, the talks focused on the situation in the
region, including current developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina,
talks between Belgrade and Podgorica on the future of the joint
federation, and the situation in Macedonia.
"I have conveyed the Croatian government's stand that Belgrade and
Podgorica should reach a compromise solution, because Croatia,
protecting its economic and political interests, wants such a
neighbourhood which will be safe from political crises and will not
affect our international position," Picula said after the
meeting.
Picula said Solana was optimistic with regard to the situation in
Macedonia, hoped for a favourable outcome of talks between Belgrade
and Podgorica, and believed that it was primarily domestic
politicans who were responsible for stability in Bosnia-
Herzegovina.
Picula met Solana at the end of his two-day visit to Brussels,
during which he met with the EU Troika, European Parliament
President Pat Cox, European Commissioner for Enlargement Guenther
Verheugen, and the international community's High Representative
for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Wolfgang Petritsch.
The meeting with Verheugen is a precedent, because this is the first
time a Croatian government official has met the European
Commissioner for Enlargement, who is responsible only for
countries negotiating full EU membership.
The meeting with the Troika is the continuation of a political
dialogue institutionalised with the signing of a Stabilisation and
Association Agreement and an Interim Agreement with Croatia.
Picula said Croatia had been given high marks at all meetings for
its activities in the implementation of the signed agreements.
"The meeting with the Troika was a meeting with less objections
presented than ever."
EC Foreign Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten expressed
satisfaction with the implementation of the signed agreements,
especially with regard to legislative adjustment, market
liberalisation and reform of the state administration.
This evening Picula left Brussels for Helsinki for a two-day
working visit to Finland.
(hina) sb rml