ZAGREB, Sept 10 (Hina) - Croatia cannot restrict its international position and perspectives through a stronger connection of the western Balkans, but should develop bilateral relations where it presents Croatia's national interest,
Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula told Croatian Television. "The priority of our foreign policy is to be open towards the European Union, not to be isolated from the basic processes leading to integration into the EU", Picula said in comment to a suggestion by German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer that western Balkans be separated from Europe and the creation of a joint market in the Balkans. The Croatian Television stated the German Foreign Ministry has refused to comment on this informal suggestion by Fischer. "The attempt of a parallel creation of a European Union outside of the European Union itself is probably a process which more than anything gives rise to dile
ZAGREB, Sept 10 (Hina) - Croatia cannot restrict its international
position and perspectives through a stronger connection of the
western Balkans, but should develop bilateral relations where it
presents Croatia's national interest, Croatian Foreign Minister
Tonino Picula told Croatian Television.
"The priority of our foreign policy is to be open towards the
European Union, not to be isolated from the basic processes leading
to integration into the EU", Picula said in comment to a suggestion
by German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer that western Balkans be
separated from Europe and the creation of a joint market in the
Balkans.
The Croatian Television stated the German Foreign Ministry has
refused to comment on this informal suggestion by Fischer.
"The attempt of a parallel creation of a European Union outside of
the European Union itself is probably a process which more than
anything gives rise to dilemma," Picula stressed.
(hina) lml