ZAGREB, Feb 18 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic met on Monday to discuss the declaration of independence by Kosovo, agreeing that Croatia would follow the European Union on the issue.
"It has been agreed that the Government of the Republic of Croatia, in accordance with its constitutional obligations, will continue to monitor and analyse developments, particularly in the light of the interests of the Republic of Croatia as a country in the process of accession to the European Union, and will harmonise its foreign policy decisions with the common foreign and security policy of the European Union and with the approach of other participants in the Euro-Atlantic integration processes," the government said in a statement.
On Sunday afternoon, Kosovo's Assembly passed a declaration of independence from Serbia, and Pristina was
expecting diplomatic recognition from a number of countries.
The meeting of the Croatian state leadership, which also involved the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Gordan Jandrokovic, focused on the latest developments in Kosovo and the region.
The Croatian leadership said that the new political reality "requires full attention and a sense of measure" and expressed hope that "at this important moment all parties will demonstrate restraint and take into account long-term interests in order to preserve and strengthen peace, stability and cooperation in this part of Europe."
Emphasis was placed on "the responsibility of Kosovo's institutions to fully protect the security of all citizens, particularly the minority communities in Kosovo, in accordance with the plan proposed by the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Martti Ahtisaari, and the fundamental principles of the Contact Group," the statement said.
After a comprehensive analysis of all the relevant facts and of the impact of Kosovo's declaration of independence, and guided by Croatia's fundamental interests, the principles and positions of the common foreign and security policy of the European Union and the views of the international community, the Croatian government will initiate the relevant procedure in accordance with the Croatian Constitution.
The Croatian leaders found it "especially important to devote their full attention to the political views of the Republic of Serbia, confident that the confirmed democratic and pro-European potentials of Serbia, as demonstrated in recent elections, will continue to develop a modern European Serbia as a participant and a factor in establishing a lasting peace and cooperation in Southeast Europe."
They also said that Croatia and Serbia should continue to develop their mutual relations in all areas in accordance with the confirmed commitments of the two countries to build their good neighbourly relations on European standards and the principles of equality and reciprocity.
The Croatian leaders expressed their expectations that a democratic, stable, multi-ethnic, pro-EU and pro-NATO Kosovo, which fully embraces the rule of law and the protection of minority and human rights, will be an active factor in establishing a lasting peace, stability and cooperation in Southeast Europe, the statement concluded.
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