Croatia in the New Millennium: Towards EU and NATO Membership

H.E.  Ivo Sanader
Prime Minister,
Republic of Croatia

Cambridge, MA (September 23, 2004) History was made today as Ivo Sanader became the first Croatian prime minister to deliver a public address at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.; Sanader's visit, sponsored by Harvard's Kokkalis Program on Southeastern and East-Central Europe, included a meeting with University President Lawrence Summers (former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury).  The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Miomir Zuzul, Minister of Culture Bozo Biskupic and newly appointed Croatian Ambassador to the US Neven Jurica. 

In his public lecture, Croatia in the New Millennium, Sanader highlighted that Croatia would achieve its goal of joining the EU by 2007.  He described that the EU is about sharing the common values of freedom, democracy, human rights, pluralism and the rule of law.  Sanader further commented that Croatia, as the only candidate country of war-torn Yugoslavia, assumes the responsibility of bringing the EU into Southeast Europe.  He emphasized that Croatia's determination to be part of the EU is inseparable from its friendship and partnership with the United States.

Sanader stressed the central importance to his country and the region of creating a climate of tolerance, confidence and cohabitation of all religions and ethnicities.  He noted Croatia's commitment to continuing its cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and of ensuring the representation of national minorities in government.  He further emphasized the transformation of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) since he succeeded the late President Tudjman as party leader, stressing that the HDZ is committed to democracy and upholding human rights.

Sanader was appointed Prime Minister in December 2003.  Prior to this post, he held numerous positions, including president of HDZ, member of parliament and deputy chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, and chief of staff to President Mesic.