Zagreb Daily Report - February 16, 2010

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000100 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL HR SUBJECT: Zagreb Daily Report - February 16, 2010 ¶1. (U) Senators Voinovich and Shaheen Meet with PM and President: Senators Voinovich and Shaheen visited Zagreb February 15-16 as part of a multi-country tour of the region. They met with PM Kosor, President Mesic, President Elect Josipovic, Defense Minister Vukelic, and FM Jandrokovic. The Senators and the Croatians stressed the importance of continuing Euro-Atlantic expansion in the region during their meetings. The visit received positive press coverage. Septel to follow. ¶2. (U) Prime Minister Kosor Addresses Fourth Regional Interior Ministers Conference: On February 12, Ministers of Interior and police chiefs from Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Macedonia gathered in Zagreb for the fourth regional conference on preventing crime along the so-called Balkan route. During the conference, the ministers signed a joint statement regarding continued cooperation to suppress international organized crime. PM Kosor opened the conference and stated that the uncompromising fight against corruption and organized crime was one of the fundamental pillars and priorities of her cabinet's work. Kosor said Croatia would continue to unconditionally support all southeastern European neighbors on their EU path. ¶3. (U) Kosor Appoints Peric as Fourth Economic Advisor: PM Kosor appointed entrepreneur Zeljko Peric, a former Pliva pharmaceutical company board member, as her fourth advisor on economic related issues. Peric joins three other advisors: Borislav Skegro, Zeljko Lovrincevic, and Sandra Svaljek, as part of the Prime Minister's advisory team. FOLEY