Urgent Closed Meeting of Croatian PM, President

ZAGREB, CROATIA - The Croatian president Stjepan Mesic and premier Ivo Sanader, quickly met at the president’s office before the traditional new year hosting of representatives of the diplomatic chamber who are accredited in Croatia.

They spent half and hour talking, which is the reason the hosting of the diplomats was late. They probably talked about important issues like Croatian foreign politics, because the following people were present at the meeting: the state secretary for political issues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bianka Matkovic, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Gordan Jandrokovic.

It is obvious that the main topic was relations with Slovenia that is intensifying after the media reported that 50 percent of Slovenian citizens are against Croatia entering the European Union.

The diplomatic activities in Croatia are intensifying, which can be seen by the announcement that Bianca Matkovic will hold a meeting on Friday with EU coordinators from ministries and other state bodies included in the accession negotiations with the European Union.

After the meeting, Mesic and Sanader met with representatives from the diplomatic chamber.

Mesic mentioned Israel’s attack against Gaza and said that the year started with a gas crisis. He said that the crisis prompted a few issues.

“Firstly: what do contracts, signatures, given words mean in international relations, and does it still mean anything to anyone? Then: to what degree is united Europe capable and will to really act European?” asked president Mesic, addressing the diplomatic chamber.

He also mentioned that things should be better than they are in our region, and the imperative must be cooperation, especially when everyone is pressured by the same problems.

“Instead of uselessly arguing about things that are totally clear, and therefore solvable, instead of refusing to accept reality, in this period we should seek what binds us in the interest of our citizens. Croatia has acted like this until now, and will continue like that. But, we need partners for such politics” concluded the president.