ZAGREB, Dec 27 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Thursday called on the entire Croatian political scene and public for a consensus on the country's basic development tasks. On the occasion of marking the 10th anniversary of
the formation of the Croatian army, a reception was organised in the President's Office for the most senior officials of the Croatian defence system. Present were members of the government, headed by Premier Ivica Racan, and parliamentary deputy speakers. Mesic assessed 2001 was difficult and said the Croatian economy only began to be getting out of a several-year depression, recalling the high unemployment rate and crisis in many areas of societal activities. But, in 2001 Croatia has continued the safe path of getting out of the international isolation, and the formation of an active foreign policy and cooperation in the region. We continued with an accelerated approachin
ZAGREB, Dec 27 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on
Thursday called on the entire Croatian political scene and public
for a consensus on the country's basic development tasks. On the
occasion of marking the 10th anniversary of the formation of the
Croatian army, a reception was organised in the President's Office
for the most senior officials of the Croatian defence system.
Present were members of the government, headed by Premier Ivica
Racan, and parliamentary deputy speakers.
Mesic assessed 2001 was difficult and said the Croatian economy
only began to be getting out of a several-year depression,
recalling the high unemployment rate and crisis in many areas of
societal activities. But, in 2001 Croatia has continued the safe
path of getting out of the international isolation, and the
formation of an active foreign policy and cooperation in the
region. We continued with an accelerated approaching the EU, Mesic
said. He added a process of the strengthening of democratic
institution, the rule of law, had continued as well. It can be said
that next to all difficulties an important progress in the
democratisation of the political life had been made, Mesic said.
He stressed a stable economic development needs to be secured in
2002 as well as the continuation of reforms in judiciary and other
state institutions, and the further state's affirmation abroad.
All this will not be easy as the circumstances and situation in
international relations are not simple, Mesic said.
As he stressed he was confident in the coming period, Mesic assessed
the democratically elected authorities will know how to perform
their duties, and that a national consensus on the realisation of
the most important development goals will be needed. "Those are the
biggest issues and tasks which should not be disputable to Croatian
present and future", Mesic said, and called on the entire political
scene and Croatian public on a consensus on the basic development
tasks of the country.
Mesic said the marking of the 10th anniversary of the formation of
the Croatian army was an opportunity to honour all employed with the
Croatian army and the interior ministry for sacrifices in the
Homeland War and the final freeing of the state which created
possibilities for a peaceful renovation.
The defence minister, Jozo Rados, said the security-defence system
was ready for fulfilling its basic duties - the preservation of
peace and stability - despite the reorganisation process.
Petar Stipetic, Croatian Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff, assessed a
situation in Defence forces as a good and solid base for the
carrying out of future tasks.
Interior Minister Sime Lucin highlighted the importance of
Croatia's approaching the EU, assessing important steps were made
in the formation of a modern Croatian police through its
professionalisation and demilitarisation.
(hina) np sb