PRISTINA, Sept 22 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic in Friday evening's interview for Television Kosovo addressed the current situation in Croatia, relations with neighbouring countries, the situation in the southern Yugoslav
province of Kosovo and cooperation between Croatia and the province. President Mesic positively assessed the so far trend of the stabilisation of the situation in Kosovo. He said the most import thing now was the establishment of financial institutions in Kosovo, after which it would be possible to decide on the political future of the province. According to Mesic, Croatia is interested in cooperation with Kosovo. He stressed the Croatian Chamber of Commerce would open its branch office in Pristina, which would make economic cooperation easier. Speaking of Croatia's priorities, Mesic said Croatia now was turned towards Europe and was trying to join European integration such as NAT
PRISTINA, Sept 22 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic in Friday
evening's interview for Television Kosovo addressed the current
situation in Croatia, relations with neighbouring countries, the
situation in the southern Yugoslav province of Kosovo and
cooperation between Croatia and the province.
President Mesic positively assessed the so far trend of the
stabilisation of the situation in Kosovo. He said the most import
thing now was the establishment of financial institutions in
Kosovo, after which it would be possible to decide on the political
future of the province.
According to Mesic, Croatia is interested in cooperation with
Kosovo. He stressed the Croatian Chamber of Commerce would open its
branch office in Pristina, which would make economic cooperation
easier.
Speaking of Croatia's priorities, Mesic said Croatia now was turned
towards Europe and was trying to join European integration such as
NATO and the European Union.
In a united Europe, Serbia is the factor of destabilisation, Mesic
stressed and added Serbia must understand it cannot rule other
nations and their territories only because Serbs live there.
"Maybe the process of changes will begin on Sunday with the election
in Serbia", Mesic said.
"Relations between Croatia and its neighbours are good. There are
no problems with Hungary, there are some open issues with Slovenia
which are being solved, and we are also solving inherited problems
with Bosnia-Herzegovina, for which both sides expressed interest.
Relations with Montenegro began with some very significant joint
projects within the Stability Pact", said Mesic.
Speaking of the situation in Croatia, Mesic said Croatia now was
successfully healing the wounds of the imposed war. He invited Serb
refugees to return to Croatia.
"Milosevic is the cause of all wars on the territory of the former
Yugoslav federation, and he lost all of the wars", Mesic stressed.
He assessed the contribution of Albanians who live and work in
Croatia, during the war and in the reconstruction and development
of democracy, as very significant.
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