ZAGREB, Nov 29 (Hina) - Relations between NATO and Croatia and the situation in the region were the chief topics of Wednesday's talks between Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and NATO deputy secretary-general Sergio Balanzino.
"It is important to state that this moment, after the Zagreb Summit, Croatia is not giving up from its policy to positively affect the security situation in its neighbourhood, although the situation are still subject to certain risks, primarily in Yugoslavia," Picula said after the meeting. He added the two had during the talks confirmed Croatia's great progress this year, especially in stabilising its political and security situation, which influenced the situation in the region. Picula said Croatia has since May of this year, when it became a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace programme, participated in more than 65 joint activities. "Entrance into NATO is the most imp
ZAGREB, Nov 29 (Hina) - Relations between NATO and Croatia and the
situation in the region were the chief topics of Wednesday's talks
between Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and NATO deputy
secretary-general Sergio Balanzino.
"It is important to state that this moment, after the Zagreb Summit,
Croatia is not giving up from its policy to positively affect the
security situation in its neighbourhood, although the situation
are still subject to certain risks, primarily in Yugoslavia,"
Picula said after the meeting.
He added the two had during the talks confirmed Croatia's great
progress this year, especially in stabilising its political and
security situation, which influenced the situation in the region.
Picula said Croatia has since May of this year, when it became a
member of NATO's Partnership for Peace programme, participated in
more than 65 joint activities.
"Entrance into NATO is the most important element of our security
identity," Picula said, adding preparations concerning the opening
of a Croatian mission at the NATO were complete.
He expressed hope the situation in Yugoslavia would defuse, not
worsen, and added Croatia would attempt to, in any form, contribute
to calming the situation in the region.
NATO highly regards the role Croatia played in the region and
Europe, Balanzino said, adding Croatia had become an example of a
country which successfully exited an autocratic regime and entered
democracy.
NATO and its partners such as Croatia can very successfully
contribute to the bringing of peace, stability, order and good
neighbourly relations in this region, Balanzino asserted.
Balanzino was also received Wednesday evening by Croatian
President Stipe Mesic.
NATO and Croatia will continue to act in the same direction towards
the stabilisation, general security and good neighbourly relations
among countries of the region, Balanzino said after the meeting
with Mesic, adding that the views of the Croatian President on the
situation in the region were exceptionally valuable and useful.
I congratulated Mesic on Croatia's extraordinary achievements in
creating full democracy and on its way to the realisation of goals
Croatia has set for itself, such as entering the EU and NATO, he
stressed.
(Hina) lml