ZAGREB, Feb 19 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and his Romanian counterpart Dan Mircea Geoana discussed in Zagreb on Monday the construction of an oil pipeline from Trieste to Constanta, the signing of a free trade
agreement, the stepping up of a bilateral project of sweeping up the Danube River as well as the return of Croatian refugees in cooperation with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The Romanian minister, who also chairs the OSCE this year, is on a two-day official visit to Croatia, where he will meet high state officials, including the President of the Republic, Stjepan Mesic. The Trieste-Constanta oil pipeline is a very significant project "with good prospects for implementation," for which "Croatia has adequate infrastructure," Picula said at a joint press conference held after the meeting. Trade between Romania and Croatia amounts to some 17 million US dollars, which is
ZAGREB, Feb 19 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and
his Romanian counterpart Dan Mircea Geoana discussed in Zagreb on
Monday the construction of an oil pipeline from Trieste to
Constanta, the signing of a free trade agreement, the stepping up of
a bilateral project of sweeping up the Danube River as well as the
return of Croatian refugees in cooperation with the Organisation
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The Romanian minister, who also chairs the OSCE this year, is on a
two-day official visit to Croatia, where he will meet high state
officials, including the President of the Republic, Stjepan
Mesic.
The Trieste-Constanta oil pipeline is a very significant project
"with good prospects for implementation," for which "Croatia has
adequate infrastructure," Picula said at a joint press conference
held after the meeting.
Trade between Romania and Croatia amounts to some 17 million US
dollars, which is insufficient. Croatia can offer a lot more and is
interested in the Romanian market, he said.
The two countries have so far signed 18 bilateral agreements, and
"missing currently is a free trade agreement," Picula said, adding
he and his guest discussed ways for their countries to sign that
agreement as soon as possible.
The two sides officials that Croatia's cooperation with the OSCE
was good, that certain joint successes had been achieved also in the
implementation of the OSCE Mission's mandate in Croatia but that
there were still some open issues, primarily the return of Croatian
refugees and a more efficient resolution of return-related
property issues, Picula said.
Given the sensitivity of these problems, Croatia expects certain
understanding from the OSCE, but not an alibi, because by resolving
those problems by the end of this year the country will try to
"create conditions for a different OSCE mission," Picula said.
The Romanian minister expressed his government's strong support
for Croatia's efforts to join Euro-Atlantic structures and offered
his country's assistance in the process.
Geoana said he had asked for Croatia's support, as the country
chairing the Danube River Commission, for speeding up the process
of sweeping up the Danube.
The talks also tackled regional cooperation in the prevention of
illegal migrations and organised crime, he said.
Geoana said the meeting strengthened his belief that the Croatian
government was determined to continue making progress in resolving
the remaining problems as soon as possible.
The OSCE chairman said his organisation would in the next two months
receive a new progress report from its mission in Zagreb regarding
Croatia's fulfilment of international obligations.
I believe we will be able to report new progress, primarily
regarding refugee returns, property and tenancy rights and similar
issues, he said.
The Romanian minister will today also meet Parliament Speaker
Zlatko Tomcic, First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic and
President Stjepan Mesic.
(hina) rml