ZAGREB, March 13 (Hina) - British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook voiced confidence that Croatia would set an example of democratic development to other countries in south-eastern Europe and added Britain would be willing to offer
maximum support in such efforts. On Monday Foreign Secretary Cook held talks with Croatia's President Stipe Mesic, Premier Ivica Racan and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula.
ZAGREB, March 13 (Hina) - British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook
voiced confidence that Croatia would set an example of democratic
development to other countries in south-eastern Europe and added
Britain would be willing to offer maximum support in such efforts.
On Monday Foreign Secretary Cook held talks with Croatia's
President Stipe Mesic, Premier Ivica Racan and Foreign Minister
Tonino Picula.#L#
I come away from this visit with a strong sense of confidence that
Croatia would become an example and stimulation to democratic and
reform-minded processes in the south-east of Europe, and thus
Zagreb will come closer to its own European future. In both
endeavours Croatia will enjoy maximum British support, Cook said
after the talks with his Croatian counterpart Picula.
The British official said the new Croatian Government had
successfully begun solving many key problems which previously
divided Croatia from Europe. In this context he highlighted three
crucial issues.
First referred to the building of civil society, namely the
implementation of programmes of democratic and media reforms.
Second, Croatia should fully cooperate with the International
Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
The third issue covered the return of Serb refugees.
By settling the above-mentioned issues Croatia will put itself "in
the vanguard of a new South-Eastern Europe, one which reflects
politics of the twenty-first century," Cook stressed.
Croatian Foreign Minster Tonino Picula voiced confidence that
Croatia's democratic policy and policy of good-neighbourly
relations will equal the country's chances with chances of other
countries in transition of approaching EuroAtlantic
institutions.
Political relations between Croatia and Great Britain are on the
rise, both in the bilateral ties and in the sense of cooperation
between Croatia and the European Union.
The Croatian Government will take responsibility for the full
democratisation of the country as well as responsibility for peace
and stability in the region around Croatia, the Minister added.
Therefore it is nice to hear expressions of the British support and
encouragement for such Croatian policy," Croatian Minister said.
Within weeks of the new Government taking office, Croatia is making
progress towards a closer future with the EU and with NATO, Cook
added.
Speaking of the concrete support to Croatia, Cook said his country
favoured Croatia's efforts to join the Partnership for Peace
programme, adding that Britain pointed it out at the last meeting of
NATO.
In addition, London will give the financial backing to the
elaboration of a Feasibility Study, and Cook said he hoped that
after its drafting in June Croatia would commence negotiations on
the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. Britain
will support such outcome both politically and technically.
The two ministers also discussed the British visa regime for
Croatian citizens. Britain regretfully made such decision but it
was forced to take it due to an increased number of Croatian
subjects who asked for political asylum in Britain, Cook
explained.
If the previous regime had been more inclined to conduct a policy of
the ethnic reconciliation and to meet international obligations,
perhaps no such decision would have been made. In any case, the
decision is constantly considered and as soon as there is
possibility for its annulment, visas will be cancelled, he added.
At the end Cook said he was finishing his first visit to Croatia with
a strong sense of optimism about Croatia's future and he was glad to
witness the real spring in Zagreb, not only in the sense of
climate.
(hina) jn ms