NEW YORK, Nov 12 (Hina) - Following day-long negotiations and two rounds of talks, the foreign ministers of Croatia and Yugoslavia, Tonino Picula and Goran Svilanovic respectively, released a joint statement in New York on Sunday. The
ministers met during a United Nations General Assembly session and, confident in a joint European future, agreed the improvement of Croatian-Yugoslav relations was an important contribution to the overall stability of the region and the process of stabilisation and association with the European Union. The adoption of democratic principles and values in both countries has created the foundations for a resolute settlement of open issues stemming from the break-up of the former Yugoslav federation, reads the statement. The ministers have announced an exchange of ambassadors in the near future. Starting from the Croatian-Yugoslav agreement on the normalisation of relati
NEW YORK, Nov 12 (Hina) - Following day-long negotiations and two
rounds of talks, the foreign ministers of Croatia and Yugoslavia,
Tonino Picula and Goran Svilanovic respectively, released a joint
statement in New York on Sunday.
The ministers met during a United Nations General Assembly session
and, confident in a joint European future, agreed the improvement
of Croatian-Yugoslav relations was an important contribution to
the overall stability of the region and the process of
stabilisation and association with the European Union.
The adoption of democratic principles and values in both countries
has created the foundations for a resolute settlement of open
issues stemming from the break-up of the former Yugoslav
federation, reads the statement.
The ministers have announced an exchange of ambassadors in the near
future.
Starting from the Croatian-Yugoslav agreement on the normalisation
of relations, which states the two countries will respect each
other as independent, sovereign and equal within their
international borders, Picula and Svilanovic agreed to take steps
upon returning from New York in view of setting up an interstate
commission on borders and, if necessary, of its sub-commissions.
They agreed to start drawing up a protocol on principles of the
identification of the border on land and sea. The border commission
will list other open issues in connection with the frontier in order
to facilitate the harmonisation of views. The ministers are agreed
as to the necessity of talks on the possible establishment of a
bilateral demilitarisation regime before talks on the border end.
Picula and Svilanovic reiterated full willingness to respect all
internationally recognised human and minority rights, and
announced negotiations on an agreement on the mutual protection of
minorities. They concluded it was necessary to expedite the
settlement of issues obstructing the return of refugees and
displaced persons to pre-war homes, as well as to shed light on the
fates of those gone missing in the 1990s war.
The two officials also discussed the need to prosecute the
perpetrators of war crimes, and in this respect to limit criminal
proceedings only to cases for which there is strong evidence.
They are content with the increase in economic cooperation, and
point to the need of reaching agreements on transport and the
liberalisation of visa requirements in view of ensuring the free
flow of people, goods, and ideas, in line with EU standards.
The two chiefs of diplomacy announced an impending return of arts
collections taken out of the easternmost Croatian town of Vukovar
during the war, and discussed starting negotiations on an agreement
on cultural cooperation and the restitution of cultural goods to
Serbs and the Serb Orthodox Church in Croatia.
Picula and Svilanovic plan to hold talks in Zagreb by year's end and
sign several agreements aimed at boosting neighbourly relations.
(hina) ha