ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - Croatia's strategic aim is integration with the European Union (EU), Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa said on Friday at the signing of an agreement between the government and five companies on the co-financing of
post-graduate scholarships for Croatian students in Great Britain. "Despite complex problems, Croatia's strategic goal is integration with the EU. Croatia has opted for a serious approach and has been preparing for these integration processes for years," Premier Matesa said. Present at today's signing were also Croatian Minister for European Integration Ljerka Mintas-Hodak, and the representatives of the five companies: Croatian Power Utility Company director Damir Begovic, the head of management at pharmaceutical giant Pliva, Zeljko Covic, the head of management at Zagrebacka Bank, Franjo Lukovic, oil company INA director Davor Stern, and the head of management
ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - Croatia's strategic aim is integration with
the European Union (EU), Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa said on
Friday at the signing of an agreement between the government and
five companies on the co-financing of post-graduate scholarships
for Croatian students in Great Britain.
"Despite complex problems, Croatia's strategic goal is integration
with the EU. Croatia has opted for a serious approach and has been
preparing for these integration processes for years," Premier
Matesa said.
Present at today's signing were also Croatian Minister for European
Integration Ljerka Mintas-Hodak, and the representatives of the
five companies: Croatian Power Utility Company director Damir
Begovic, the head of management at pharmaceutical giant Pliva,
Zeljko Covic, the head of management at Zagrebacka Bank, Franjo
Lukovic, oil company INA director Davor Stern, and the head of
management at Privredna Bank, Bozo Prka.
Premier Matesa said Croatia was aware of its obligations, which
every country undertakes as part of integration with the EU, adding
that like every country, Croatia was serious in preparing for the
process.
The preparations, he pointed out, are effected through
"legislation, by accepting standards valid in EU's legislative and
judicial systems, and through the reform of various economic,
legal, financial, and social institutions," the premier said.
"Without that, political will alone, even if expressed and
confirmed by both sides, is insufficient," he added.
Premier Matesa said all countries in the first round for access to
the EU, and those selected for the second, invested "much time and
much effort to make the course of the accessing process as painless
as possible."
He particularly thanked the representatives of the companies co-
financing the scholarships, saying "they have been the first to
recognise the significance of this project, which envisages the
education of our young people, who will work the most in projects
for Croatia's integration with the EU."
The tripartite scholarship project is financed by the London School
of Economics, the British Foreign Office, and donations from the
five Croatian companies, which invested US$27,400 each.
The 17 students making the first scholarship class already work in
the state sector. This year, 40 students were granted scholarships
to study in EU countries. Today's co-financing agreement includes
15 students, while the studies of others will be financed from the
budget.
(hina) ha