DIPLOMATIC DRIVE

German and French ambassadors testing e-smart

The German ambassador Bernd Fisher and the French ambassador Jerome Pasquier have joined the promotion of usage of renewable sources of energy by having driven Mercedes Benz's electric automobil, e-smart, through Zagreb. The vehicle is also a result of economic cooperation between Germany and France, as German e-smart is assembled in French Hambach.

New Year reception at President's office for Diplomatic Corps

New Year reception hosted by President Mr. Ivo Josipović and First Lady Mrs. Tatjana Josipović, was attended by 64 members of the Diplomatic corps,  led by H. E. Mario  Cassari and, also, nine representatives of international organizations accredited to  Croatia.  Amongst Croatian guests were the Prime Minister Zoran Milanović , Minister of Foreign Affairs Vesna Pusić and other representatives of the Government, Parliament, Armed Forces, coalition partners and representatives of national minorities. Here is the speech that gave H.E. Apostolic Nuncio Mario Roberto Cassari:

BRITISH AMBASSADOR LEAVING

Blunt: My sailboat stays in Sukošan

A farewell reception at the apostolic nunciature for the British ambassador David Blunt and his wife Geirid was organised December 15, 2011. Deviating from the usual protocol, according to which the leaving ambassador is given a crystal plate by his colleagues from the Diplomatic Corps with their names engraved on it, H.E: Mr. David Blunt asked that the equivalent of the money which was to be spent on the plate be donated to „Wings", an organisation for therapeutic horse riding for physically challenged.

New ambassadors

President of Croatia Mr. Ivo Josipović recieved credentials from three new ambassadors: H.E. Mr. Kim Song Gyong, Ambassador of Democratic Republic of Korea, H.E. Mr. Aliyar Abdul Azeez, Ambassador of Sri Lanka and H. E. Mr. Roy Warren Blackbeard, Ambassador of Botswana.

BCCC ROUNDTABLE

Blunt: Foreign investors expect reasonable safety and reasonable profit

Only 1.6 percent of foreign investments in Croatia comes from Great Britain. At the roundtable organized by the British Chamber of Commerce entitled "CROATIA - a new EU member: how to improve competitiveness and attract investors", British Ambassador David Blunt said that foreign investors expect from the country they are investing in to ensure "reasonable safety and a reasonable profit" . He also said that the difficulties they encounter in Croatia are lack of clarity and predictability of the tax system.

Namegiving of Dag Hammarskjöld to University College of Diplomacy

High  school of international relations and diplomacy in Zagreb marked the beginning of their third academic year by gaining the name Dag Hammarskjold.   Ambassador Erik Hammarskjöld, who was representing  the Hammarskjöld family on this  occasion presented to the Dean Ivo Šlaus  the documents confirming the right of the University College to be named after Dag Hammarskjöld.

FAREWELL RECEPTION

Ambasadors of Austria, Bulgaria and Italy leaving

Farewell reception for Ambassador of Austria, H.E. Mr. Jean Kickert, the Ambassador of Bulgaria, H.E. Mr Ivan Sirakov and the Ambassador of Italy H.E. Mr. Alessandro Pignatti Morano di Custoza took place at Apostolic Nunciature, October 13, in presence of numerous members of Diplomatic Corps in Croatia and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Ambassador Mario Nobilo, Secretary of State and Dr. Ivan Mašina, Chief of Protocol. H.E. Mons. Mario Cassari, Doyen of Diplomatic Corps gave an inspired speech for departing colleagues "with whom we have shared unforgettable times and to whom we are bound by deep ties of mutual esteem and friendship".

CREDENTIALS RECIEVED

Three new ambassadors

President of the Republic of Croatia Mr. Ivo Josipović recieved credentials from three new ambassadors: H.E. Mr. Muhammad Ali Sorcar, Ambassador of People's Republic of Bangladesh, H.E. Mrs. Iman Mohamed Medhat Elfarr, Ambassador of The Arab Republic of Egypt and H. E. Mrs. Nancy Rossignol, Ambassador of Kingdom of Belgium.

INTERVIEW

Cassari: The biggest success would be if Croatia joined EU without sacrificing its Christian roots

Either Europe will rediscover its original identity - which is surely Christian, or will simply take a risk that Europe will be no more, said Apostolic Nuncio Mario Roberto Cassari.

Celebrating Chinese New Year: Rabbit is coming

Chinese Embassy in Zagreb celebrated the arrival of the Chinese 4709th year, the year of rabbit, which begins on February 3, 2011.