Croatia Won´t Use NATO in Disputes with Neighbours

The Croatian president said in Strasbourg that Croatia would not use its membership in NATO to solve open issues with its neighbours.

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Published: April 04, 2009 19:02h

Croatia will not use its membership in NATO to solve outstanding issues with neighbouring countries. On the contrary, Croatia’s goal is security and development of all countries in the region, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation session in Strasbourg on Saturday.

President Mesic said that Croatia joined this military-political alliance to boost its security, but also to contribute to the stability and security of other countries, especially South-Eastern European countries. He believes that what is important for Croatia is not merely joining NATO, but also the whole process of accession during which Croatia met a number of political, economic and security criteria.

Croatia’s President Mesic and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader are attending a NATO Summit for the first time since Croatia has become a full member of the organisation.

According to sources close to the Croatian delegation, Mesic and Sanader thanked member countries and NATO officials for accepting Croatia into the Alliance.

Sanader voiced hope that the leadership, which has proved itself with the successful enlargement of the organisation, would also prove itself in Croatia’s integration into Europe which is united around common values – democracy, peace, solidarity and the rule of law, the same source said.

In front of the leaders of NATO member countries, Prime Minister Sanader confirmed the decision of the Croatian parliament that Croatia would take part in the mission in Afghanistan with 300 soldiers and officers. He also voiced support to NATO projects in that war-torn country that will make possible a better life standard for the Afghanistan people, the source close to the Croatian delegation said.

The NATO session is closed to the public.

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