| Crans
Montana, Saturday June 26th 2004 - Following the positive
opinion (Avis) of the European Commission, the EU has requested
additional efforts for issues such as the return of refugees,
minority rights, legal reform, regional cooperation and
the fight against corruption. What are the measures you
are going to adopt on these issues?
Thankfully, some of
these issues are not as problematic in Croatia as in
other states that are entering the EU,
due to the fact that Yugoslavia was historically closer
to a free market economy and western legal system. Therefore
our legislation has a strong base on which to build on.
In regards to the issue of corruption, we believe that Croatia’s
old-fashioned bureaucracy must be streamlined in order to
increase transparency, yet I do not foresee any major difficulties
with this issue.
As far as the return of refugees, is concerned, this is
related to war in the 1990s when Croatia was hosting up to
800,000 displaced persons. We are taking into account the
need for property rights and the return of wealth, and now
we only have a relatively small amount of people who are
still seeking further support on this issue.
Dr. Miomir Žužul |
The reform process is also a key element for EU accession.
What are the key elements of this program?
We have already introduced a number of key reforms dealing
with economic development – which includes significant
tax rewards in order to attract foreign investment, create
employment and facilitate the development of the economy.
At the same time, will the reduction of the foreign debt
be an important issue?
Yes. This is an important issue which is inter-related with
EU accession.
Croatia has strong macro-economic indicators, especially
compared with other EU countries. Yet we have some problems
such as foreign debt and unemployment (particularly in some
rural parts of Croatia), so we are introducing a number of
measures to solve these issues.
On the other hand, we are well positioned with a very stable
macro-economic situation, a stable currency and an annual
growth that matches the levels of other strong economies
in transition.
Do you really believe that Croatian companies will be able
to compete with EU multinationals, and do you think that
labour unions and small Croatian companies will oppose
the reforms needed for EU accession?
I believe that Croatia will be in a position to compete
with the EU market. At least 50% of our labour force is already
working in Western Europe, which illustrates our adaptability
and level of education.
Most of the companies in Croatia are already privatised,
so they already function under free-market principles. We
still manage some state-owned companies that were created
during socialism in Yugoslavia, yet they will soon undergo
reforms and they have realised that change is necessary in
order for us to compete internationally. Meanwhile, the core
of Croatia’s economy is built around tourism and private
business, so I believe that our small businesses will also
appreciate the benefits of joining the EU and participating
in a larger, more profitable market.
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(continues)
Export
development is important as well, especially to show the
benefits of EU accession.
What is Croatia’s export strategy in this context?
The majority of our exports is already directed
to the EU, and we already benefit from a lack of agricultural
quotas. Croatia is a country with a strong potential for
the production of ecologically preserved foods, and we also
have one of the largest mineral water reserves on the continent.
When Croatia joins NATO in 2007,
what will be its role in the region?
We
believe that Croatia’s entry in
NATO and the EU will contribute to stability of the region.
We were lending our support and facilities for NATO operations
for certain conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo, and once we
are in the alliance we hope to offer greater assistance.
In the
future, we might also become directly involved in peace
operations in the region, if it ever becomes necessary.
Croatia is providing the model for other
countries in the region, by implementing international standards
and achieving concrete results. This is the message we are
sending: if Croatia can do it, we can all do it.
June 16th was the date of the adoption of the cultural, education and international
cooperation agreement with France. Is this not a strategic way for Croatia
to adopt current EU standards, while getting closer to France? Absolutely. I am particularly pleased to say that our bilateral
relations have never been better. We have developed very
good political relations, and there are many opportunities
to discuss with French companies in order to improve economic
relations. I had a very successful visit to France where
I met [French Foreign Minister] Michel Barnier, who will
be coming to Croatia this summer, and President Chirac has
also recently met with President Stjepan Mesic in Paris.
We appreciate the support we have received from France.
We also hope to change the view that, for historical reasons,
Croats are closer to the Germans while Serbians are closer
to the French… This is not true; we have strong relations
with all EU members.
You have said that “we will also work on improving the image of Croatia
by emphasizing that we are a nation with a long and proud tradition and culture” How
do you plan to achieve this goal?
On a personal level, Croats are probably the most adjusted
immigrants in the world. We are a small country, yet there
are thousands of people who have emigrated – university
professors, doctors, researchers and many other professionals
who have helped develop a good international image of Croatia.
The image of Croatia as a destination is different since
it was affected by the image of war in the region. Yet most
tourists who come to our country are pleasantly surprised,
which shows that their expectations were not as good before
they left as their impressions were when they arrived. This
means that we need to actively promote the real image of
Croatia, which we are currently developing, focusing on tourism
and image-building in general. In fact, this year the travel
guidebook Lonely Planet ranked Croatia as the 4th top tourism
destination in the world, so I believe that the change is
really taking place.
When you were Ambassador in Geneva in 1993, did you really think that, ten
years later, Croatia would be in the situation it is in today?
I was always optimistic. I constantly believed in the future
of my country and advocated our role in NATO and the EU.
Yet it is especially in the past 6 years, since 1998, that
we achieved the most impressive changes in Croatian society.
Half of the Members of Parliament of the Croatian Government are between the
ages of 40 and 50 years old, like yourself. Do you feel that they represent
the new generation of Croatia?
Yes. For example, Prime Minister Sanader has a PhD from
Austria in French Literature and he speaks four languages
fluently. Five of the other government Ministers also hold
PhDs with experience teaching in universities, which suggests
that we are open to new ideas and that we are oriented towards
new policies that aim to integrate Croatia within the international
community.
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