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Interview: Former Croatian President Stjepan Mesić

Posted by archifCLICarchive from National - Published on 23/06/2010 at 09:53
2 comments » - Tagged as Culture, Education, History, People, Topical

  • Photo 1

Portia from theSprout spoke to former Croatian President (2000-2010) Stjepan Mesic, who was present at the Assembly of European Regions Youth  Network meeting in Croatia.

President Stephen Mesic is Croatia’s second president and was in office from February 2000 until February 2010. During his ten years in office President Mesić has been very active in foreign policy and has continually promoted Croatia's ambition to become a member of the European Union (EU). Now Croatia is the closest it has ever been in its bid to join the EU after recently settling a border dispute with Slovenia. Croatia hopes to become the second former Yugoslav state to join the EU in 2012.

How will Croatia joining the European Union benefit young people in your country?

President Mesic: The fact is that this is a millennium activity, Croatia will join in this generation and young people will benefit through industry, education and health care. In all areas there will be more opportunities for young people to develop. Europe is going to be the biggest factor of peace in the world and that will be possible because European countries are going to open their boarders, countries will remain the same, people will remain the same but the people of different countries will live in their own cultural body no matter where the border is. With Europe joining in such a way war in a political sense, will not be possible. After all the borders are open there is no motivation for war, and that is the biggest possibility for young people.

What did you do for young people when you were President and what needs to be done in the future?

President Mesic: The most important thing I did was give all my force to improving education in Croatia and the development of science, fundamental science as well as practical science. I was trying to establish a framework to give young people more opportunities. In the future young people need to be more educated, organised and aggressive.

Does Croatia already feel a part of the European Union?

President Mesic: If it had not been for the politics of Slobodan Miloević for changing the borders, we could have already been in the European Union and joining Europe will remove such ambitions. The borders must be opened not changed.

How close is Croatia to Joining the EU?

President Mesic: Negotiations are going to be finished this year as there is no blockade by Slovenia, what is left is a matter of procedure and now its up to us to fulfill conditions and to get to the standards that exist in the most exclusive political organisation, that is the European Union. 

2 CommentsPost a comment

Tom_Bevan

Tom_Bevan

Commented 71 months ago - 23rd June 2010 - 11:06am

Hello, now we've hit the top- former Croatin president! Get in there!

No sarcasm intended by the way, it is genuinely great to have such a high profile figure on theSprout.

Sprout Editor

Sprout Editor

Commented 71 months ago - 30th June 2010 - 09:45am

Thanks for this Portia, it's really interesting and a great bit of reporting. I've had some great feedback about it and I know that the link has been circulated around some of our partners. Nice work!

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