Rede von Vizekanzler und Außenminister Michael Spindelegger anlässlich der Podiumsdiskussion “Kroatien – 20 Jahre nach der Unabhängigkeitserklärung...." in der Diplomatischen Akademie (english only)

Podiumsdiskussion “Kroatien – 20 Jahre nach der Unabhängigkeitserklärung.
Das Potential des kroatischen Beitrags zur Europäischen Union“

Diplomatische Akademie, 13 July 2011

Statement by
Dr. Michael Spindelegger, Vice Chancellor and
Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria

C H E C K A G A I N S T D E L I V E R Y

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have already wholeheartedly congratulated my dear friend Gordan in Dubrovnik
last weekend, where we met at the Croatia Summit. I have said there what I am
going to say here again: the Croatian example goes to show two things: first, that
the European Union or the European Perspective is still a tremendous force of
attraction and an engine for reforms – this notwithstanding severe hardships and
obstacles - ; secondly, that hard work, dedication, and implementing reforms pays
off. This is a lesson we can all learn from, particularly “old” member states. This is
especially true in times when some countries in the Euro zone are in trouble and
people deplore the decline of the European Union and its lack of implementing
reforms to the benefit of the people. I am deeply convinced that this is not true.
Look at Croatia and the so called new EU member states! Where people see
crisis, we should see opportunities and challenges we can overcome. I am deeply
convinced of the power of the European Union to resolve the big challenges
ahead. And I think the example of the new EU-member states can be inspiring.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

One cannot talk about 20 years of independence and Croatia’s success story
without mentioning the difficult legacy, in particular of the last two decades of
armed conflict, disruption and division that has inflicted the region. Living in a
common political and economic space is not a zero-sum game. Respect, trust and
solidarity are the ingredients on which modern societies are built. Reconciliation
and justice in the Western Balkans remains a task for the future. However,
reconciliation cannot be instructed. It has to come within a society. It is a
benchmark of a strong democratic community that is mindful of the sunnier as well
as the darker tales of its history. We should never forget, reconciliation and
overcoming the rifts of the past are the founding features of the European Union.
Stefan Füle made this point last year in the context of the Croatian-Serbian
reconciliation initiative in Vukovar. This is why I hope that countries in the region
will all soon be reunited as partners in the European Union.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As Croatia will soon enter a new stage in its international relations, I would like to
use today’s discussion not to talk about independence but rather about interdependence:
Inter-dependence between neighbouring countries, between the
European Union, its members and its neighbours.

Three months ago, my Slovak counterpart Mikulas Dzurinda and I visited Zagreb
for consultations on the final stage of Croatia’s accession negotiations. Our
message was clear: We wanted to assure our Croatian friends of our full support
for the earliest possible conclusion of the negotiations. But it was not an act of
altruism - our intention was clear as well. As two countries in the heart of Europe,
we are interested in a strong and vibrant Central Europe and in expanding the
European area of stability, law and prosperity in our immediate neighbourhood.

Allow me to say a few words about our bilateral economic ties with Croatia.
Between 1993 and 2010, Austria invested roughly 6.5 billion Euros. This
represents approximately one fourth of the overall foreign direct investment in
Croatia. Last year, Austrian foreign investment in Croatia amounted to 210 million
€. About 750 Austrian companies maintain branch offices in Croatia and I hope
that further investments will result in additional income and employment creation
in Croatia. At the same time, this is not a one-way street, Croatian exports to
Austria keep growing, even by 9,8% last year.

To mention another example of our close cooperation, Austria is the biggest
contributor of EU-Twinning projects in Croatia. This EU-programme has been
extremely successful in providing assistance to institutional reforms and
modernization efforts. In total, Austria participated in approximately 30 twinning
projects in Croatia, for example in support of the judiciary and customs
administration. And again, we are not talking about a one-way street here, as
Austrian companies benefit as well from an improved business and investment
climate with modern administrative structures. Other projects were dedicated to
the environment, the fight against drugs and money laundering.

This illustrates very well my previous argument about today’s inter-dependence.
The challenges we are facing today, from organized crime to the financial and
economic crisis, are often regional or global. They demand regional and global
responses as well.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The sub-title of today’s discussion reads “The Potential of Croatia’s Contribution to
the European Union”. I am sure that following speakers will elaborate on this
potential. But again, to stay with the image of a street with traffic in both directions,
let’s re-phrase it. It is both, Croatia’s contribution to the EU and the EU’s
contribution to Croatia which give us reason to celebrate today. Against this
background, I would like to once again congratulate you, dear Gordan and your
compatriots, to 20 years of independence as well as a growing and mutuallybeneficial
inter-dependence.

Thank you!

My dear friend Gordan Jandroković,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are gathering today on a most pleasant occasion, the 20th anniversary of
Croatia’s Independence. I vividly remember the 25 June 1991 and I want to
congratulate Croatia on its anniversary. But above all, I want to congratulate
Croatia on the achievements and reform efforts of the past 20 years.

Today we want to recognise Croatia’s 20 year long journey and look ahead in
order to explore Croatia’s potential as the European Union’s newest member.
Croatia has made a remarkable development during a short span of time: From a
country that was at war over hard fought territorial integrity and independence,
through a difficult process of transformation and now at the brink of accession to
the European Union. Remarkable indeed, just look at the economic figures: within
a decade, Croatia’s GDP per capita has doubled.

Certainly, one of the most decisive steps was the recent conclusion of accession
negotiation with the European Union. Austria’s position in this respect is wellknown:
we have always been a very strong supporter of the European perspective
of the region. With the closing of the 35 accession chapters, bilateral problems
resolved and reforms implemented, Croatia has clearly taken over the lead and
the frontrunner role in the Western Balkans. It is a huge step for Croatia, but also
a huge step for the entire region and for the EU itself.