ZAGREB, July 14 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Wednesday received the representatives of the European Union (EU) Troika accredited in Zagreb, the ambassadors of Finland and Portugal, and the European Commission's
special envoy to Croatia.
ZAGREB, July 14 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on
Wednesday received the representatives of the European Union (EU)
Troika accredited in Zagreb, the ambassadors of Finland and
Portugal, and the European Commission's special envoy to
Croatia.#L#
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Finnish Ambassador Osmo Lipponen presented Granic with Finland's
work programme as the country presiding the EU.
Liponnen pointed to the interest of intensifying as much as
possible cooperation with the Croatian government, to the effect of
strengthening dialogue and raising relations to a higher quality
level, the statement said.
The Finnish ambassador also pointed to the importance of an
informal meeting the EU Troika and a Croatian government delegation
are to hold in Brussels on July 20. The Croatian delegation will be
headed by Granic and Croatian Minister for European Integration,
Ljerka Mintas-Hodak.
Minister Granic reiterated the Croatian government was strongly
committed to approach European and Transatlantic integration as
soon as possible, to which, he said, stronger political dialogue
with the EU should particularly contribute.
During today's talks, Croatia's foreign minister reminded of the
numerous steps forward Croatia had made, both in relations with
neighbours and in the implementation of the refugee return process,
as in expectations of a successful outcome of negotiations between
the ruling and opposition parties regarding new electoral
legislation.
Croatia is making the steps forward in view of further developing
democracy and creating good neighbourly relations, Minister Granic
said, pointing out these steps meet EU criteria.
Croatia hopes a positive evaluation of its efforts will lead to a
formal commencement of negotiations with the EU this autumn
regarding a stabilisation and association agreement, the foreign
minister said.
Both Granic and the representatives of the EU Troika, which besides
Finland's Lipponen includes Ana Barta, Ambassador of Portugal, the
country next to preside the EU, and Per Vinther, European
Commission special envoy to Croatia, accentuated the importance of
the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe.
They also welcomed Croatia's active and constructive role in the
making of the pact. Granic stressed Croatia was firmly committed to
pursue its role in bringing the pact to life.
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