STRASBOURG, May 11 (Hina) - Croatia is determined to become a model of democracy and a source of stability in Southeast Europe, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said in Strasbourg on Thursday.
STRASBOURG, May 11 (Hina) - Croatia is determined to become a model
of democracy and a source of stability in Southeast Europe,
Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said in Strasbourg on
Thursday.#L#
Picula addressed a Council of Europe Ministerial Committee meeting
which discussed Chechnya, the situation in Southeast Europe, and
the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe.
Croatia's new government is determined to become a model of strong
democracy in the region and a source of stability, Picula said.
He added Croatia appreciated and supported the efforts of the
international community to transform Southeast Europe into a
region of peace, democracy, and progress, especially via the
Stability Pact.
Speaking about Croatia's foreign policy, Picula said good
neighbourly relations, regional stability and cooperation were the
basic commitments.
He briefed the Council of Europe Ministerial Committee about the
steps Croatia was taking to implement obligations taken over upon
joining the Council.
Besides actions taken within regional cooperation and relations
with The Hague war crimes tribunal, our efforts are directed
towards internal issues, especially in the field of legislation,
Picula said.
Croatia's foreign minister is on his first official visit to the
Council of Europe. Today he also held talks with Russian
counterpart Igor Ivanov on the situation in Southeast Europe,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, and possibilities that Croatia and
Russia jointly contribute to stability in the region.
Following Wednesday's talks with Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly Secretary-General Bruno Haller, Picula said Council
rapporteurs believed Croatia was successfully complying with the
obligations it had taken. He expects the Council will discontinue
its monitoring over Croatia in the second half of the year.
(hina) ha mm