The Statement of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Dr. Ivo Sanader
at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Distinguished President of the Parliamentary Assembly,
Distinguished Secretary General of the Council of Europe,
Honourable Members of the Assembly,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great day for the Prime Minister of Croatia to be in Strasbourg today. I am grateful for the opportunity to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the eldest among the international parliamentary forums worldwide. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to share with you some of my reflections regarding the development of my country and its European agenda.

Allow me also to pay tribute to the excellent work done by the Council of Europe in general, and the Parliamentary Assembly in particular, in the promotion of democracy, strengthening of democratic standards and rule of law, as well as respect for human rights throughout our continent. Its contribution to a new, undivided Europe has been of immense importance. In this context, I take the legacy of this Organisation as a living proof that common European ideals, principles and standards are not merely an ideal but that they also have a very concrete and lasting impact on today's Europe. With this in mind, I express my belief that my country, Croatia, has since 1996, the year when it acquired membership in this Organisation, also made a contribution to the promotion of our common European values.

This contribution has also been properly recognized just a week ago when my Minister of Foreign Affairs, in this very town - in the hall of the European Parliament, was presented with the avis with a clear recommendation that at the June's meeting of the European Council Croatia should be granted the status of a candidate for the membership in the European Union.

In a very short period of time – barely eight years - we have come a long, long way. And, we all feel proud of every step taken along that road – from the implementation of twenty-one commitments that we voluntarily signed in 1996 to the avis of the European Commission.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For the whole of Europe and its citizens Strasbourg has a particular significance. It is not only the seat of the European institutions, but, indeed, the very symbol of a new, united Europe and its first steps and growth based on common principles and values. Nevertheless, Strasbourg also bears special significance for my country. Some eight years ago Croatia became a member of the Council of Europe in the aftermath of war, with all its grave consequences to its economy, society, its people, individuals and personal destinies. The membership in the Organisation then represented a proof of Croatia's ability to become a member of European family of nations and values.

But, a week ago, a new perspective has been opened for my country in its approach to the European Union. This represents not only an important step forward in this process, but also a clear obligation and sign for Croatia, to continue its development and the acquisition and implementation of European standards, norms and principles.

Following the general elections in November last year a new Government was formed and I have the honour to lead that Government. We have fully accepted the challenge and responsibility of the voters entrusted to the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). As a party whose programme is based on the European democratic values its agenda is first and foremost oriented on democracy and European vocation. We are determined to lead Croatia towards being fully democratic and prosperous state, worthy to all its citizens.

Main priorities of my Government remain the acquiring of membership in the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). We are committed to actively, and in the light of the avis, with even stronger determination, pursue these goals. Eventual membership in the Euro-Atlantic integrations we do not see as an end in itself, but as a means to ensure our active and concrete contribution to the strengthening of democratic stability in Europe. In this context, we stand ready to join in the efforts of other democratic countries and nations of Europe in the realization of this noble goal - not only through the acquiring and implementation of common standards, but also through our active contribution to the development of stability and security throughout our continent, thus shaping a new Europe. Croatia, and myself personally, see the future of the united Europe as a system of relations based on mutual interaction, coherence of standards and actions, and co-operation among the countries.

My Government is fully committed to spare no effort in strengthening of democratic values and principles, respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the development of adequate framework for the full enjoyment of these rights and values by all its citizens. We have clearly proven in practice our unequivocal commitment to protect specific rights of all persons belonging to national minorities, with full respect for the application of the so-called preferential measures. The validity of this policy is confirmed by the support of the representatives of national minorities which my Government enjoys in the Parliament.

The Government made an important contribution to the creation of adequate conditions and has undertaken necessary measures - including the allocation of significant financial resources - in respect of the process of the return of refugees and the reconstruction of property damaged as a result of war. All these issues have been of specific importance as well for the creation of a climate of tolerance and prosperity within the country. My Government wishes to turn a new page – to look towards the future and to offer an opportunity to all its citizens for a better life unburdened with national disputes and wrangling with the past long gone.

We remain firmly committed to the continuation of our co-operation with the International Tribunal for War Crimes Committed on the Territory of Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Let me just stress that this co-operation, as an important part of the respect for and implementation of Croatia's international obligations, has significantly evolved, and has been very positively assessed by the Prosecutor of the Tribunal. Positive evaluation of Croatia's co-operation with the ICTY has been equally confirmed in the European Commission avis of last week.

Our accession into the European Union being a continuous process of the adoption, acquisition and implementation of relevant standards, we are thus fully aware of the need for strengthening of our capabilities in order to enhance and develop the overall framework of the functioning of our society as a whole. Significant efforts are taken to improve and strengthen the efficiency of Croatian judiciary, in line with the evaluations of relevant international bodies and the European Commission.

Once the candidate status is granted to Croatia, our approach to the European Union will, undoubtedly require further reforms, harmonisation of numerous laws, regulations and practices with the acquis communautaire, in order to achieve full compatibility with the EU standards. We are ready and determined to embark on this process with full devotion - not only the Government, but the citizens and the public in general as well.

Fully convinced that the avis is a historic but still just one big step forward in this direction, Croatia, as a future candidate, stands ready to continue on its journey to the European Union. Understandably at this time – Croatia is ready to continue full steam ahead.

Mr. President,

Honourable Members of the Assembly,

Croatia's relations with the neighbouring countries and furthering of regional co-operation comprise yet another vital set of my Government's priorities and strategic goals. Enhancing and deepening of relations with our neighbours is a key to the development of democratic stability in our part of Europe for which we have a very distinct lasting interest. For history has given my people many different roles. Now Croatia, as a fully independent country and a fully qualified candidate for the membership in the European Union, stands ready to assume another high responsibility – which can only benefit our own nation and the region itself – that of bringing more of Europe to its Southeast and that of serving as Europe's bridge to the Southeast.

Croatia is ready to foster its relations and co-operation with all its neighbours, and is convinced that some of the current obstacles could clearly be overcome in the near future, in particular in the context of the existing European perspectives.

I need not stress that Croatia's aspirations and its approach to the European Union, which became ever more realistic with the adoption of the positive avis, do not imply any „fugitive intentions“ from the region. On the contrary, Croatia is fully aware of the fact that the stability and prosperity of the region to a great extent depends on the continuation of the acceptance of common European standards, not least those in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms and its effective implementation in all states belonging to the region.

In this context, Croatia is ready to contribute by sharing its experiences and offering advice to the countries in the region on their approach to the European Union. And last but not the least, Croatia's candidate status for the membership in the European Union represents an incentive to the others in the region as the confirmation of their clear European perspective for all, within the Stabilization and Association Process. They had already acknowledged and welcomed this message.

As to the political trends and perspectives of Southeast Europe, I would like to stress that many positive developments have taken place in the last several years, and that the seed of democracy and respect of human rights, promoted and cherished by the Council of Europe in particular, has begun to bear fruits. However, let me clearly point out that any nationalist rhetoric, resembling the one used during the odious times of recent war in this very region, which have recently resurged among some of the political forces in the region, do not have their place in contemporary Europe. These radical calls should be clearly condemned by all, as the development of modern societies in Europe could only be based on respect of fundamental democratic values and human rights as well as promotion of tolerance. This, and only this, should be the basis for our development. We all have to make efforts to leave the history behind and to look forward to our common European future.

Mr. President,

Honourable Members of the Assembly,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

As a member of the Council of Europe since 1996, Croatia has actively contributed to the work of this Organisation. On numerous occasions and with unrestrained energy, the Council of Europe has confirmed its pivotal role as the torch-bearer of the culture of democratic values, respect for the rule of law and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. As I have already mentioned, the significance of the admission of my country in the “family of democratic European nations“, has also been confirmed in practical terms in the light of our achievements in democratic development, adoption and implementation of relevant democratic standards and the strengthening of legal framework for the protection of human rights and the rights of national minorities.

Since its early days in the Council of Europe and its embarking on the “road of European democracy“, Croatia has passed through numerous important stages. All have left their mark on the strengthening of its democratic system. Through these changes and developments, Croatia has always relied on constructive help of this Organisation, even if the evaluations and remarks concerning the implementation of a fairly extensive list of twenty-one commitments undertaken in respect of the membership in the Council of Europe have sometimes been critical or less than positive. We have always regarded remarks and evaluations of the Council of Europe as an objective expert opinion and part of our joint efforts in consolidation of Croatia's democracy.

Finally, it has resulted in concrete and tangible developments. This process and sentiments have undoubtedly been similar in almost all of the countries that have in the last fourteen years passed the road from the totalitarian regimes to the established democracies. Finally they are becoming members of the European Union in a few days. At this point I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all ten countries and their people on this historic achievement. At the same time I would like to express that Croatia is following the same path. On this road we count on the support and the assistance of the Council of Europe.

I would like to, therefore, thank all officials and members of the Council of Europe, both the Parliamentary Assembly and the Committee of Ministers, who have given their contribution to this cause. My thanks are particularly extended to the Secretary General Mr. Walter Schwimmer, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly Mr. Peter Schieder, the previous Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly Ms. Leni Fischer and Lord Russell-Johnston, the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly Mr. Bruno Haller, the Rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly on the implementation of the commitments undertaken by Croatia Mr. Jaskiernia and Ms. Stoyanova, the Rapporteur for the Post-Monitoring Dialogue Ms. Durieux, to name just a few. But allow me also to thank all other officials and members of the Secretariat of the Council of Europe actively involved in the development of co-operation between Croatia and the Council of Europe.

Now, upon completion of the monitoring procedure and the post-monitoring dialogue concerning Croatia, we stand ready to actively contribute to the further development of the Council of Europe.

In this context, one should point out the outstanding achievements of the Council of Europe in the field of the protection of minority rights, most notably the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as a first legally binding instrument solely devoted to the protection of specific minority rights. Croatia is supporting the further strengthening of the implementation of this instrument and its control mechanism.

The “shining flag“ of the Council of Europe, as the European Court of Human Rights is often described, must remain the cornerstone of the protection of human rights in Europe. Its practice and the jurisprudence under the European Convention of Human Rights, developed over more than half a century, should be taken as a core of the European standards in the area of universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is definitely true that the system of the Convention needs a new impetus and solutions as to its effectiveness, having in mind the ever raising workload of the Court. In this context, let me stress that my Government fully supports the measures proposed within the context of the reform of the Convention system, and looks forward to the early adoption of the revising Protocol 14 to the European Convention, possibly at the next meeting of the Committee of Ministers in May 2004.

Faced with the current and imminent enlargement, the European nations have to gather and find common answers and solutions to the imposing threats to democratic stability, security and our shared democratic values. These tasks are not simple, but it is exactly the role of the Council of Europe, as a truly pan-European forum to act as a catalyst and a competent forum for finding solutions for these problems.

Therefore, my Government is fully supporting the holding of a Third Summit of the Council of Europe in Warsaw, which will enable the membership of this Organisation to give a new impetus to the future of wider Europe.

In shaping of new Europe, we see the pivotal role of the Council of Europe in providing for wide dissemination and strengthening of common European standards in the field of democracy, rule of law and human rights promotion and protection. It should remain the vigilant fortress in defence of these values, common to all Europe. Democracy, rule of law and human rights are heritage of our history, and they should also be a guidance for our future – the Europe based on unity, common principles and co-operation of us all.

To conclude – Croatia is crossing once again its historic path. Its people, political forces and the Government are looking towards Europe. In achieving that dream we count on your support!

Thank you Mr. President.