Pejcinovic Buric noted that the present law on foreign affairs dated back to 1996. "We need a new, modern, different law that will suit better the current circumstances in which Croatian diplomats work," she said.
Noting that a preliminary bill on foreign affairs had been made, she said that the new law was expected to "help us respond better to the challenges of the present, the challenges of what Croatia and its diplomats need today."
The minister told members of the Croatian Diplomatic Club that they had played an important role in building and developing the modern Croatian state and diplomacy, from the establishment of the country's statehood, sovereignty and territorial integrity to its integration with Euro-Atlantic organisations.
She spoke about diplomatic activities that have marked the past year, and announced activities and tasks facing Croatian diplomats.
Croatia continues to strengthen bilateral relations with its partners and allies in the EU and NATO, and European unity and transatlantic ties remain in the focus of its activities. Another priority for Croatia is the development and stability of its neighbourhood - Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean, Pejcinovic Buric said, adding that Croatia also wanted to develop closer relations with Eurasia, Latin America and Africa.
The ceremony marking Croatian Diplomacy Day was also addressed by the head of the diplomatic corps in Croatia, Apostolic Nuncio Giuseppe Pinto, and the president of the Croatian Diplomatic Club, Smiljan Simac.