First published in the Slobodna Dalmacija on 23 Nov. 2000

Op-Ed by the Secretary General for Croatian Press On November 24th, Zagreb will host a Summit of leaders of the European Union and other countries of the South-East Europe. This event will mark another major step in Croatia's ongoing integration into the family of European nations - and another major contribution to the development of peace and stability in the region, and across the continent. As we enter the 21st Century, the historical divisions of Europe are finally healing. The great ideological divide of the Cold War is now history. More and more, fundamental values are being shared right across the continent. Almost every country has embraced democracy. Almost every government now protects basic freedoms, and maintains agreed standards of human rights. And almost every country in Europe has determined to carry out its policy goals through peaceful means. Together, all of these changes have fundamentally transformed Euro-Atlantic security. Indeed, it is safe to say that most of Europe is safer and more secure than it has been in living memory - and it is because this continent is growing ever-closer together. The obvious exception to this trend, over the past decade, has been the Balkans. While most other countries were growing more peaceful, this region has suffered the worst violence Europe has seen in five decades. While most other countries were solving border disputes through diplomacy, they were settled in the Balkans through warfare. And while minority issues were addressed elsewhere through ballots, here they were settled with bullets. For too much of the last decade, while the rest of Europe was growing together, the Balkans were tearing themselves apart. As a result many of the countries of this region found themselves increasingly isolated: politically, economically and militarily. And for too many years, Croatia was one of these countries. But the events of the past year have proven that geography is not destiny. In January 2000, the people of Croatia chose to make a fundamental break from the past, and embrace the values that the rest of Europe is increasingly coming to take for granted: true democracy, peaceful relations with neighbours, respect for fundamental human rights. In May, when Croatia joined NATO's Partnership for Peace Programme, Minister of Defence Rados set out Croatia's vision of its role in the region. He said that Croatia would become a reliable Partner to the International Community in the South East Europe, by promoting democratic values, and by encouraging friendly relations among the countries of the region. And he said that he hoped that Croatia's example could help foster democratic reforms in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. On all counts, Croatia has delivered. First, Croatia's courageous internal reforms are vivid evidence that this country is willing to make tough decisions to support democracy and human rights. For example, the entire International Community welcomes this country's new determination to live up to its commitments under the Dayton Accords, including, importantly, cooperation with the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. The recently approved constitutional reforms are also very important, because they will go a long way to improving Parliamentary democracy and democratic oversight over the military - a crucial element of a modern democracy. These steps, and the other internal reforms underway here, are crucial, not only because the benefit Croats themselves, but because they demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt Croatia's commitment to European values. So, too, do the measures Croatia is taking to contribute to peace and security in the region. The recent improvement in relations with Bosnia-Herzegovina, for example, is contributing to stability to the entire region. The Transparency Agreement between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina will help build confidence between the two countries. The new efforts to address the issue of refugee returns will do the same. And Zagreb's decision not to take steps that might obstruct the implementation of the Dayton Accords within Bosnia-Herzegovina will help that country return more quickly to normality. All of these improvements, in Croatia's domestic policies as well as its relations with its neighbours, have not gone unnoticed by the International Community. On the contrary: Euro-Atlantic institutions are moving as quickly as possible to engage Croatia in ever-deeper cooperation, and to provide assistance during Croatia's period of transition. The European Union's Summit on November 25th is an example of how the EU is reaching out. And through its Stability Pact, the EU is also helping to provide financial and technical assistance to Croatia, to encourage political reforms and foster economic prosperity. NATO, too, has moved quickly to embrace the new Croatia. Indeed, when Croatia formally entered into a bilateral security relationship with the Alliance in our Partnership for Peace (PfP) in May of this year, it also took a seat at the table of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) alongside it's other forty five members. Through PfP and EAPC, NATO and Croatia are working practically to address some of Croatia's most pressing security needs. Today, as Croatia's external security improves, those needs are largely related to internal reform. That is why the Alliance is providing guidance and assistance to Croatia in reforming and updating its defence structure, reducing the size of its armed forces, and retraining retired officers for civilian jobs. NATO is also working with Croatia on putting in place measures to ensure proper civilian control over the military, and in June of this year Zagreb hosted a PfP conference on that very subject. All of these measures demonstrate just how quickly Croatia has moved into the mainstream of Euro-Atlantic security cooperation. Today, Croatia is exactly what Minister Rados predicted it would be: a reliable partner in the region. It is also a vivid example to the other countries of the region - including Yugoslavia. The recent history of Croatia proves that, if a country makes the right decision, and embraces democracy, freedom and human rights, they can and will be welcomed in the Euro-Atlantic family of nations. That example can only have encouraged the people of Yugoslavia to remove the Milosevic regime from power, and choose a new path - the path already blazed by Croatia. For all these reasons, Croatia can count on the steady support of the international community as it continues to move closer in the family of Euro-Atlantic nations.