Kostres took the opportunity to congratulate Croatia on starting talks on full membership of the European Union, adding that other countries in Southeast Europe should also embrace European standards.
Guests said Vojvodina was cooperating with other regions, including Styria (Austria) and Istria (Croatia). In this context they said that a meeting of representatives of 36 Danube river towns and 15 regions had taken place in Novi Sad late last month and adopted a resolution on further cooperation in all areas, ranging from the economy, culture and sport to environmental protection.
The delegation also highlighted the importance of renewing the existing visa regime between Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro, which expires on 31 December.
Mesic said that the decision by the European Union to open membership talks with Croatia could encourage other countries in the region to continue the process of reform. He reiterated that the united Europe ruled out war as a political instrument, and that national minorities were becoming bridges of cooperation rather than tools for territorial claims.
The delegation included the deputy chairmen of the Assembly, Sandor Egersi and Borislav Novakovic, and Nenad Canak, chairman of the International and Interregional Cooperation Committee.