LONDON, Dec 18 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic held talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London on Tuesday about Britain's assistance to Croatia in its bids to join the European Union, and the strengthening of the
two countries' bilateral relations. Rounding up the political talks, President Mesic, who is on a four-day visit to Great Britain, today also met Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and will meet Interior Minister David Blunkett. After the talks with Blair, Mesic told reporters the two analysed the cooperation between Croatia and Great Britain hitherto, as well as its prospects. "We also discussed the assistance Great Britain could offer Croatia in accelerating its integration into European Union countries," Mesic said. "Great Britain supports EU expansion and accelerating accession," the president said, adding Britain "does not advocate associating only the current 10 candidates wit
LONDON, Dec 18 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic held talks
with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London on Tuesday about
Britain's assistance to Croatia in its bids to join the European
Union, and the strengthening of the two countries' bilateral
relations.
Rounding up the political talks, President Mesic, who is on a four-
day visit to Great Britain, today also met Foreign Secretary Jack
Straw and will meet Interior Minister David Blunkett.
After the talks with Blair, Mesic told reporters the two analysed
the cooperation between Croatia and Great Britain hitherto, as well
as its prospects.
"We also discussed the assistance Great Britain could offer Croatia
in accelerating its integration into European Union countries,"
Mesic said.
"Great Britain supports EU expansion and accelerating accession,"
the president said, adding Britain "does not advocate associating
only the current 10 candidates with the EU as soon as possible,
but... all those who do or will soon meet the standards".
Mesic and Blair discussed bilateral cooperation, especially the
strengthening of economic relations.
Mesic told reporters the two applauded the entry of British capital
into Croatia, and said that "regulations must encourage the entry
of capital".
Mesic and Blair also tackled the issue of visas Great Britain
introduced for Croatian citizens after about 1,400 mostly Croatian
Serbs entered the country in 1998 and 1999, requesting political
asylum.
"We feel that all reasons for the... regime have been eliminated,"
the president said, adding "we are aware this cannot be changed
overnight, but can be tuned down by cancelling visas for business
people and official travels". It is up to the relevant ministries to
"do the technical part of the job".
For the time being, there are no indications Great Britain will
revoke visas for Croatian citizens in the near future.
Mesic and Blair also discussed the cooperation Croatia should have
with neighbouring countries, openly tackling the obstacles in this
cooperation.
Mesic said that all countries in the region must cooperate with the
Hague war crimes tribunal, since there can be no fight against war
crimes "if war criminals roam freely on the territory of the former
Yugoslavia".
"Everybody must participate in the fight against war crimes and
their perpetrators. There is no room for a selective approach,"
Mesic said.
He added he and the British prime minister also spoke about the
fight against global terrorism and the contribution small and large
countries can make to successfully end the struggle.
(hina) lml