ZAGREB, Sept 10 (Hina) - Croatia does not want and cannot restrict its international position with any institutional connections with the so-called Balkans, but we can and should develop bilateral relations with all countries of the
Southeast Europe, the Croatian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued in reaction to the most recent initiative by German's Foreign Minister Joscka Fischer proposing a joint market in the Balkans. the statement, issued Monday, says that the initiative "is primarily an effort to consolidate the peace process in Macedonia and its environment, including Kosovo". The Republic of Croatia sees its own national interest in Fischer's initiative, because the stabilisation of the situation in the Southeast of Europe diminishes the spreading of the crisis to other areas. Croatia is prepared to contribute to the stabilisation of the situation and participate in all forms of regional co
ZAGREB, Sept 10 (Hina) - Croatia does not want and cannot restrict
its international position with any institutional connections with
the so-called Balkans, but we can and should develop bilateral
relations with all countries of the Southeast Europe, the Croatian
Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued in reaction to the most
recent initiative by German's Foreign Minister Joscka Fischer
proposing a joint market in the Balkans.
the statement, issued Monday, says that the initiative "is
primarily an effort to consolidate the peace process in Macedonia
and its environment, including Kosovo".
The Republic of Croatia sees its own national interest in Fischer's
initiative, because the stabilisation of the situation in the
Southeast of Europe diminishes the spreading of the crisis to other
areas. Croatia is prepared to contribute to the stabilisation of
the situation and participate in all forms of regional cooperation
in line with the Zagreb Declaration.
The Ministry voiced conviction that the summit in Zagreb has set an
optimal framework so far for a long-term approach to the resolving
of the crisis and stabilising of Europe's Southeast.
Agreements on free trade, bilateral economic cooperation with
countries in the region, are evidence of Croatia fulfilling fully
the stipulations of the Zagreb Declaration, and at the same time,
drawing its economy closer to that of the European Union. Any other
form of international economic policy would be in contrast to the
true interests of Croatia and the region, the Foreign Ministry
stated.
The Ministry also pointed out the importance of the principle of
individual approach in relations between the EU and countries of
the region.
(hina) lml sb