VIENNA, April 21 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Berislav Roncevic met his Austrian counterpart Guenther Platter in Vienna on Wednesday.
VIENNA, April 21 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Berislav Roncevic
met his Austrian counterpart Guenther Platter in Vienna on Wednesday.#L#
Platter congratulated Croatia on receiving a positive opinion from the
European Commission about its EU membership application, and said that
Austria perceived Croatia as a friend and ally in the process of
European security and stability, Roncevic told reporters after the
meeting.
Roncevic said that the armed forces of both countries were undergoing
reform and that he exchanged information on this with his host.
Also discussed was the experience of the two countries in
international peacekeeping missions and the further development of
bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Austria expressed strong support for the admission of Croatia to all
regional initiatives and Euro-Atlantic institutions, Roncevic said.
Roncevic said that Croatia wanted to participate with one military
unit in the multinational brigade of the so-called Quadrilateral, an
informal association of Hungary, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia the aim
of which is to promote cooperation in all areas. The Austrian minister
pledged support for this proposal.
Roncevic said that Croatia wanted to step up cooperation with all
countries and promote good neighbourly relations. He added that
"positive vibrations of friendship" could be felt in relations with
Austria.
Roncevic stressed the role Austria had played during Croatia's
struggle to be recognised as an independent state as well as its
support to Croatia in its efforts to join the EU.
Also on Wednesday, Roncevic laid a wreath at a monument commemorating
World War II victims in central Vienna. On Thursday, he will attend a
joint exercise of the Austrian defence and interior ministries dubbed
"Protection 2004".
(Hina) vm