ZAGREB, June 8 (Hina) - Croatian and Yugoslav presidents Stjepan Mesic and Vojislav Kostunica signed a joint statement in Italy's Verbania today, in the presence of other 12 heads of state gathered at a forum of the presidents of
Central European countries.
ZAGREB, June 8 (Hina) - Croatian and Yugoslav presidents Stjepan
Mesic and Vojislav Kostunica signed a joint statement in Italy's
Verbania today, in the presence of other 12 heads of state gathered
at a forum of the presidents of Central European countries. #L#
This is the unofficial translation of the statement in full:
"We, presidents of the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia, Stjepan Mesic and Vojislav Kostunica, met in
Verbania at the Central European countries' presidents forum.
During a frank talks we discussed the current situation in the
relations between the two countries, as well as the situation in the
wider region. The reference points were not only the two countries'
interests, but also the meaning of the relations between the
Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Yugoslavia in the context of
building and consolidating stability in the South East of Europe.
Expressing satisfaction with the held talks, announcing readiness
to continue occasional contacts with the aim of giving new
stimulation to the stabilisation of the region and confirming our
principled loyalty to the policy of peace and solving all open
issues through negotiations, we have decided to announce:
1. We agree that relations between the Republic of Croatia and the
Republic of Yugoslavia should be further developed towards full
normalisation and expanded in all areas in which there is mutual
interest,
2. We agree that in the further normalisation of bilateral
relations a special accent should be put on facilitating the free
movement of people, goods and ideas, in line with the standards of
the unifying Europe,
3. We agree that in the context of normalisation and building of
relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of
Yugoslavia we should continue implementing already signed
bilateral agreements and undertake measures to realise equal
protection of minorities in both countries, that is, the Serb
minority in the Republic of Croatia and the Croat minority in the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
4. We agree that all obstacles to the realisation of the return of
refugees and displaced persons should be removed, and everything
possible be done to have the whereabouts of persons who went missing
during the war be resolved completely,
5. We agree that both countries and their citizens can and must, in
the best way possible, face the full truth about events from the
past ten years, by strictly applying the principle of individual
liability and guilt, which prevents every attempt to construct a
collective responsibility or guild of any nation,
6. We agree that a stable and democratic Bosnia-Herzegovina, which
is being build on the foundations of the Dayton Agreement, is in
lasting interest of our two countries and the entire region, and we
confirm that the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Yugoslavia
have no pretensions to any part of Bosnia-Herzegovina territory".
The statement was drawn up in Croatian and Serbian languages. Both
are valid as authentic documents.
(hina) lml