BERLIN, Feb 13 (Hina) - Germany is sympathetic to Croatia's ambitions to enter the EU and NATO and Berlin wants to help Zagreb on that road, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said in Berlin on Friday after talks with his
Croatian counterpart Miomir Zuzul.
BERLIN, Feb 13 (Hina) - Germany is sympathetic to Croatia's ambitions
to enter the EU and NATO and Berlin wants to help Zagreb on that road,
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said in Berlin on Friday after
talks with his Croatian counterpart Miomir Zuzul.#L#
Fischer said the talks had focused on the situation in the region, the
new Croatian government's policy and Croatia's ambitions to join the
European Union and NATO, which he added Germany was very sympathetic
to. The minister pledged helping Croatia meet EU entry requirements.
He highlighted the importance of implementing the Copenhagen Criteria,
namely the return of refugees, protection of minorities and unreserved
cooperation with the war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
Peace and stability in the entire region are in Germany's interest,
Fischer said, adding that the forthcoming entry of 10 new members to
the EU would contribute to the region's stability.
He said the talks with Zuzul had been very friendly and exhaustive,
indicative of the high quality of bilateral relations.
"We appreciate the constant support the German government and Minister
Fischer personally are giving Croatia," Zuzul said, adding that
Croatia "wants to become part of the big European family as soon as
possible".
Zuzul said Croatia appreciated Germany's role in the unification of
Europe as well as Berlin's position that the countries of Europe's
south-east should be part of the process.
"I said the Croatian government was firmly determined to implement the
Copenhagen Criteria, but we need the understanding and support of
friendly countries to do that."
Zuzul went on to say that Croatia had been assured once again of
Germany's support in the realisation of its strategic goals.
"We also talked about some concrete aspects of cooperation in areas
the displaced are returning to," he said.
Zuzul invited Fischer to the Croatian Diplomacy Days conference in
Dubrovnik this spring, which the German accepted.
The talks with Fischer marked the end of Zuzul's European tour, which
apart from Berlin included Dublin and London as well. The main
objective of the tour was Croatia's further rapprochement with the EU
and NATO.
(Hina) ha sb