Croatian President Ivo Josipovic met in New York with his Finnish counterpart Tarja Hallonen, with whom she discussed completion of Croatia's European Union membership negotiations and the situation in Southeast Europe.
"The Finnish president was particularly interested in Croatia's fulfillment of the EU membership criteria. She pointed out what I hear from all EU leaders, that Croatia is on the right track, but that there are still things that need to be improved," President Josipovic told Croatian reporters.
"We discussed, first and foremost, the judiciary, the fight against corruption and the need to bring the present scandals to completion, not just in the media but also in courts," he added.
Josipovic stressed that the independence of the police, state prosecutors and courts was crucial for a successful clearing up of the scandals.
As regards the situation in Southeast Europe, President Josipovic said that Croatia was given credit for its efforts in the region.
Josipovic on Wednesday also had bilateral meetings with the presidents of Turkey, Cyprus and Costa Rica. He met with representatives of the Jewish organisation B'nai B'rith to discuss, among other things, restitution of Jewish property in Croatia.
"They welcomed the latest Supreme Court ruling. There will, of course, be a lot of practical problems, but I think everyone should get back what belongs to them under equal conditions, regardless of their nationality," President Josipovic said.