BRATISLAVA, May 11 (Hina) - Croatia's priority is to join the European Union and NATO, but only on an individual basis with joint standards, a transparent integration process and clear rules, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan
stressed today at the International Conference in Bratislava entitled "Europe's New Democracies: Leadership and Responsibility". "Our path to Europe will be individual because this is the only way to respect the differences," Racan said at the Vilinius member-countries' (V 9) round-table conference. In joining the NATO and EU, "we have to feel confident about the rules, and we should be sure that, once a milestone is reached on our side, the NATO and EU would react as agreed upon," the Prime Minister said in his speech. "Countries that are members of NATO and EU have a responsibility to make sure that common standards are equally applied," Racan continued. Croatia is not a member of t
BRATISLAVA, May 11 (Hina) - Croatia's priority is to join the
European Union and NATO, but only on an individual basis with joint
standards, a transparent integration process and clear rules,
Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan stressed today at the
International Conference in Bratislava entitled "Europe's New
Democracies: Leadership and Responsibility".
"Our path to Europe will be individual because this is the only way
to respect the differences," Racan said at the Vilinius member-
countries' (V 9) round-table conference.
In joining the NATO and EU, "we have to feel confident about the
rules, and we should be sure that, once a milestone is reached on our
side, the NATO and EU would react as agreed upon," the Prime
Minister said in his speech.
"Countries that are members of NATO and EU have a responsibility to
make sure that common standards are equally applied," Racan
continued.
Croatia is not a member of the V9, but on this occasion it has, for
the first time, joined the Vilinius group countries at a premier
level, although it has been participating at its sessions for more
than half a year at higher levels. Croatia's participation at the
conference was hailed, Slovakian Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda,
who opened the conference, as well as US President George Bush in
his message sent to the participants of the conference.
Racan informed the attendants with the fact that Croatia has a clear
national consensus regarding its interest in joining the NATO and
EU.
"Croatia's identity has always been European, and the time has come
to make it institutional," he asserted. He also recalled his
country's views about countries of the region.
"We firmly support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of
Macedonia, and we condemn all acts of terrorism," Racan said.
He also reiterated that the former Yugoslav President, Slobodan
Milosevic, must be tried before the Hague-based international war
crimes tribunal.
As far as Bosnia-Herzegovina is concerned, we support its
sovereignty and territorial integrity without reservation, he
said, adding "we have to think and work better on how to bring
Bosnia-Herzegovina into the Council of Europe, Partnership for
Peace, the Stabilisation and Association Process".
The Premier used the opportunity of his visit to hold bilateral
meetings with the prime ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and
Rumania.
(hina) lml