ZAGREB, Oct 9 (Hina) - In not such a distant future, but within a realistic deadline, Croatia intends to become a full member of the European Union and NATO, and Italy will provide its full support in these efforts, Croatian President
Stipe Mesic said in Zagreb on Tuesday after a meeting with Italian counterpart Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, who is visiting Croatia for two days. I confirmed that Croatia intends to join the EU and NATO in real time, and can with satisfaction say that the Italian president has pledged his country's full support to our efforts, Mesic said in a joint statement after the talks. "Italy wants an expansion of the European Union and would like for Croatia to be among the first to join," Ciampi said. The two presidents described as positive the development of bilateral relations and spoke about the situation in the world following last month's terrorist attacks in the United States and the s
ZAGREB, Oct 9 (Hina) - In not such a distant future, but within a
realistic deadline, Croatia intends to become a full member of the
European Union and NATO, and Italy will provide its full support in
these efforts, Croatian President Stipe Mesic said in Zagreb on
Tuesday after a meeting with Italian counterpart Carlo Azeglio
Ciampi, who is visiting Croatia for two days.
I confirmed that Croatia intends to join the EU and NATO in real
time, and can with satisfaction say that the Italian president has
pledged his country's full support to our efforts, Mesic said in a
joint statement after the talks.
"Italy wants an expansion of the European Union and would like for
Croatia to be among the first to join," Ciampi said.
The two presidents described as positive the development of
bilateral relations and spoke about the situation in the world
following last month's terrorist attacks in the United States and
the start of a military response.
"Our place is with those who fight for human rights, democracy and
security, and this is not in question for the anti-terrorist
coalition," Mesic said.
The future relations between Croatia and Italy will continue to
develop on the basis of international documents such as the United
Nations Charter and bilateral agreements, not only those which
Italy had signed with Croatia, but also those it signed during the
time Croatia was a republic of the former Yugoslav federation.
The two sides agreed obligations from signed agreements should
fully be implemented.
The Italian president will on Wednesday visit Rijeka and Istria
where he will meet representatives of the Italian minority.
Ciampi told reporters his meeting with Mesic occurred at a moment
which was very difficult for the entire world, since nobody could
ever be able to erase from memory the terrible images of the
terrorist attacks on the United States.
"The fight will be significantly easier if unstable regions in the
world are stabilised, primarily the Near East, but also the
Balkans, where Italy is present," Ciampi said.
Both presidents stressed the importance of initiatives, such as the
Adriatic-Ionic project and the Central European Initiative. Ciampi
said Italy was especially interested in cooperating with Croatia on
the Adriatic, particularly concerning the better connection of the
two countries' ports.
Ciampi said that separate talks between the two countries' foreign
ministers Tonino Picula and Renato Ruggiero had concluded that
bilateral agreements on friendship and cooperation should be
signed as soon as possible, which would be founded on the
application of provisions of already signed agreements and which
would, Ciampi said, assist Croatia adjust its legislature to EU
legal norms.
(hina) lml sb