Republic of Croatia Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Yearbook 2010 Contents An Introductory Word from the Minister..................................................................................5 European Integration Process ...................................................................................................7 Negotiations open in all chapters, and provisionally closed in 28 chapters ................................7 Adoption of 30 acts, 181 subordinate acts and 54 implementing measures ...............................8 Croatian – a future official language of the European Union ...................................................9 Implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement ............................................10 Meeting Political Criteria .........................................................................................................10 Croatia to be represented by 12 MEPs at the European Parliament .......................................11 Joint Committees for Cooperation with EU bodies .................................................................12 Croatia – a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean ......12 Pre-accession assistance – an important element of the European integration process ...........14 Participation in eighteen EU Programmes ..............................................................................14 Preparation for the use of Structural Funds .............................................................................15 A total of 22,000 copies of informational publications distributed ..........................................16 Over 5,400 people encompassed by educational programmes ................................................17 Bilateral Relations with European Union Member States ........................................................19 Contacts with European statesmen - Croatian negotiations and economic cooperation in the forefront ..............................................................................19 Bilateral Relations with Other Western European Countries .................................................30 High level of mutual understanding ........................................................................................30 South East Europe ..................................................................................................................32 The European integration process – the backbone of cooperation ...........................................32 Regional Multilateral Cooperation .....................................................................................34 East Europe ............................................................................................................................36 Increased dynamics of bilateral meetings .................................................................................36 Transatlantic Partners .............................................................................................................38 Meetings with numerous US officials ......................................................................................38 Increase of economic exchange .................................................................................................39 First political consultations between Croatian and Mexican Diplomacy ................................39 Central and South America .....................................................................................................41 A region of great potential and growing stability .....................................................................41 Asia and Oceania ....................................................................................................................43 Focus on economically strongest states in the region ..............................................................43 Africa and the Middle East .....................................................................................................47 Emphasis on seeking economic cooperation potential .............................................................47 United Nations ........................................................................................................................49 Croatia’s activities in building peace and democracy and solving global challenges ................49 Yearbook 2010 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration 2 Contents NATO ....................................................................................................................................51 Croatia presided over the US-Adriatic Charter .......................................................................51 International security ..............................................................................................................53 Participation in 14 peacekeeping missions ...............................................................................53 Long-term and implementing documents for better arms control ..........................................53 Human Rights ........................................................................................................................55 From repealing capital punishment to inter-religious tolerance ...............................................55 Deliberation on the Universal Periodic Review – commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights ................................................................................................55 Political framework reached for the resolution of the refugee issue ........................................55 Activities within the UN and in relations with the EU ...........................................................56 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ..........................................................57 Croatian delegation at the Astana Summit ..............................................................................57 Council of Europe ...................................................................................................................58 Active involvement in the reform process of the European Court of Human Rights ............58 Economic Multilateral Relations .............................................................................................60 Annual EBRD assembly held in Zagreb ..................................................................................60 International Development Cooperation ................................................................................61 HRK 450 million for development projects worldwide ...........................................................61 Taking Care of Croatian Nationals Abroad .............................................................................62 Mexico lifts visa requirements for Croatian citizens ...............................................................62 Taking care of Croatian minorities abroad ...............................................................................62 Taking care for Croatian communities abroad .........................................................................63 The recognisability of Croatia in the world ..............................................................................64 Croatia Summit 2010 – South East Europe Facing Global Challenges ..................................64 Conferences and seminars ........................................................................................................65 Publications ..............................................................................................................................66 Promotion of Croatian culture .................................................................................................66 Cultural events in Tel Aviv, Chicago, Rome, Vienna and Sarajevo ....................................66 Croatian Film Week in Israel .............................................................................................67 Croatian American Days in Chicago, 14–17 May ..............................................................67 Festa dei popoli at the Salesian Pontifical University of Rome .............................................67 Croatian Music Festival in Vienna .....................................................................................68 Croatian Culture Days in Bosnia and Herzegovina ...........................................................68 Development of the foreign affairs service ...............................................................................69 Training of diplomats ...............................................................................................................69 International cooperation of the Diplomatic Academy ............................................................69 Preparation for postings in diplomatic and consular missions .................................................70 Computerisation of activities ....................................................................................................70 Property investments ................................................................................................................71 Yearbook 2010 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration 3 Contents Chronology of Important Events in 2010.................................................................................72 January ......................................................................................................................................72