ZAGREB, July 12 (Hina) - The current political changes in Croatia in no way damage the country's relations with the European Union, an EU official, Guy Legras, said in Zagreb after his talks with the outgoing deputy prime minister,
Goran Granic.
ZAGREB, July 12 (Hina) - The current political changes in Croatia in
no way damage the country's relations with the European Union, an EU
official, Guy Legras, said in Zagreb after his talks with the
outgoing deputy prime minister, Goran Granic. #L#
The ongoing changes in Croatia in no way harm our relations; it is
normal for many EU members to be faced with such political problems
and it is a part of democratic processes, said Legras, who is the
director-general of the European Commission foreign affairs
general administration.
This French diplomat held talks with Granic who informed him of the
process of forming a new government in Croatia and the situation in
the implementation of reforms which Zagreb has to carry out in order
to become a EU member-state.
What is important, and the talks with Granic show it, is that the
planned process of reforms is going on, and everything else is the
problem of Croatia and not the Union, the EU official told reporters
after his meeting with Granic.
Granic added that he had informed the EU official about the current
state of affairs in Croatia, the implementation of reforms and
another two issues important for the country's relations with the
EU and other international institutions.
One of these important topics is the return of refugees.
The other issue is a draft law on minorities, the definition of
which is near completion, and the document is likely to be soon sent
by the government into the parliamentary procedure.
"Croatia expects the support in reforms as to complete the process
very soon and meet conditions for the full membership in the EU,"
Granic said.
Legras expressed satisfaction with the progress Zagreb had made in
many important reforms and added the EU was willing to help the
Croatian government to implement successfully the reforms.
Asked by reporters what he told the European Commission's official
about the set-up of the new cabinet, Granic responded that it was a
crucial issue for Croatia.
"The current organisation of the state administration is a
restrictive factor in the development of Croatia," he said adding
it should be restructured in order to become more efficient.
(hina) ms