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Cvetkovic, Sanader discuss Serbia, Croatia open issues

Belgrade, 20 March 2009

Serbian and Croatian Prime Ministers Mirko Cvetkovic and Ivo Sanader stated that they discussed many unresolved issues between the two countries, adding that some of them will need a long period of time to be resolved.

Ivo Sanader and Mirko Cvetkovic

At a joint press conference following the meeting, Cvetkovic said that certain disputed issues are soon to be resolved, and others will be delayed, adding that is of vital importance that the countries improve relations.

The Serbian Prime Minister pointed out that Serbian and Croatian stances differ greatly regarding Serbian territorial integrity and sovereignty, Croatia’s endorsement of the unilaterally declared Kosovo independence and the mutual charges of genocide Croatia and Serbia have filed against each other.

Sanader said that although the recent past cannot be forgotten we must not live in the past, adding that the two sides also discussed energy cooperation.

He recalled that Croatia will join NATO on April 3, noting that it will also support Serbia on its EU road.

Tomorrow, when we become a NATO member, we will support our neighbours, bearing in mind that if our neighbours are well off, we will be well off too, Sanader said.

The Croatian delegation also comprises Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship Minister Damir Polancec, Deputy Prime Minister for Regional Development, Reconstruction and Return Slobodan Uzelac and Minister of Culture Bozo Biskupic.

After the meeting of the two prime ministers, Director of the government’s Office for EU Integration Milica Delevic and State Secretary in the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Integration Bjanka Matkovic signed a Protocol on cooperation over the EU integration process.

Bozo Biskupic and Zarko Obradovic

Serbian Minister of Education Zarko Obradovic and his Croatian colleague Bozo Biskupic signed a Memorandum on cooperation in the areas of language and literature.

Representatives of Croatian companies Ina, Hrvatska Elektroprivreda, Janaf and Plinakro also arrived as part of the Croatian delegation.

The meeting with the Croatian delegation was also attended by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mladjan Dinkic, Minister of Human and Minority Rights Svetozar Ciplic, Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic, Minister of Education Zarko Obradovic and Director of the government Office for EU Integration Milica Delevic.