ZAGREB, Sept 14 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Thursday decided that Croatia should become a full member of the South-East European Cooperation Initiative (SECI), in which it has had the status of observer. The government also
entrusted First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic to inform SECI leaders of this decision in writing.
ZAGREB, Sept 14 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Thursday
decided that Croatia should become a full member of the South-East
European Cooperation Initiative (SECI), in which it has had the
status of observer.
The government also entrusted First Deputy Prime Minister Goran
Granic to inform SECI leaders of this decision in writing. #L#
The SECI is a US initiative from 1996 and its purpose is the
stabilisation of the region with the help of foreign capital and the
promotion of cooperation between South-East European countries.
SECI member-countries have so far signed a memorandum of
understanding on facilitating trade and transport, and a
memorandum of understanding on preventing and fighting cross-
border crime accompanied with a charter on the organisation and
operation of SECI's regional centre for the prevention of cross-
border crime. The government today decided to send this memorandum
and the charter in the form of a bill to parliament for
ratification.
These, as well as future programmes, will enjoy the support of the
World Bank, Deputy Foreign Minister Vesna Cvjetkovic Kurelec
said.
This government, First Deputy Prime Minister Granic said, is not
afraid to engage in regional cooperation, without jeopardising
national interests.
The former Croatian government had opted for the observer status
fearing that Croatia could be integrated into a form of joint
structure, similar to the former Yugoslav federation.
(hina) jn rml