ZAGREB, March 16 (Hina) - Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic expressed satisfaction with the current state of affairs in the Croatian-German relations, read a statement issued by Mesic's office after the Croatian head of state received
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Friday.
ZAGREB, March 16 (Hina) - Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic
expressed satisfaction with the current state of affairs in the
Croatian-German relations, read a statement issued by Mesic's
office after the Croatian head of state received German Foreign
Minister Joschka Fischer on Friday.#L#
German diplomat commended Croatia for successes it managed to
achieve during last year despite unfavourable circumstances.
Fischer added that his country would continue supporting such a
successful policy.
Mesic and Fischer discussed the situation in the region,
particularly the latest developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the
worsening of the situation on the Macedonian-Yugoslav border.
Both interlocutors agreed that no problem could be solved by use of
force and in this context they said it would be necessary to defuse
the situation and help establish fruitful dialogue between
Macedonia's authorities and ethnic Albanian representatives.
As regards the situation in Bosnia, Minister Fischer said he could
not understand the motives of those who were leading a policy which
would eventually produce results which were not in interest of
either Serbia or Croatia, nor of any party in Bosnia.
Mesic voiced confidence that the situation would successfully be
solved and reiterated that the Bosnian Croat side could not conduct
a dialogue with the international community in such a manner
resolutely refusing international initiatives.
At the end of the talks Minister Fischer wished Croatia a successful
tourist season and many foreign holiday-makers, particularly
German ones this summer.
Fischer was received by Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan as
well.
According to a statement released by the government's press office,
PM Racan notified the German minister of his Cabinet's stands on the
situation in Bosnia. In this context, Racan pointed to the fact that
Croatia needed a stable neighbour and therefore the incumbent
Croatian authorities were holding talks with all factors of
authorities in Bosnia as well as with international officials there
in order to help stabilise the situation in Bosnia and the entire
region.
Fischer expressed strong backing to Croatia's policy towards
Bosnia.
PM Racan informed his German guest about bids Zagreb was making to
solve problems in the country such as the recovery of the economy,
settlement of privatisation problems and court trials of war crimes
suspects.
German minister supported the Croatian government's efforts and
reiterated support to the Croatian policy aimed at stability in the
region and to its European orientation.
Racan reaffirmed that his country had the same democratic
objectives as Europe, and would like to take active part in the
definition of joint aims, the statement added.
(hina) sb ms