Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2008-04-09-Speech-3-076"
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"en.20080409.20.3-076"2
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"Thank you, Mr President. As chairman of the Croatia-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee, I feel that recent months have brought a favourable turn of events in Croatia’s Euro-Atlantic integration process. A few weeks ago, Mr Barroso outlined the road map for concluding accession negotiations by autumn 2009, and last week Croatia received an invitation to join NATO.
Both of these developments are an acknowledgement that Croatia is on the right track, and the international community is rewarding the efforts of the Croatian government. It is no coincidence that the Eurobarometer result in Croatia has risen above 60% again for the first time in a long time. I also think it was a remarkable and wise attitude that led to our Croatian friends’ decision not to enforce the fishing protection zone in the case of European Union Member States in the interests of Croatia’s membership of the European Union.
On the issue of Kosovo’s independence, the government of Mr Sanader has likewise pursued a moderate course by aligning itself with the majority of EU Member States and recognising Kosovo’s independence.
Mr President, the fact that the Croatian Serb minority has been given the post of deputy prime minister in the current cabinet has contributed greatly – as others have already said – to stability in the region and peace among the different ethnic groups. I believe it is unfair on the part of the Slovenian Prime Minister to announce that he would not rule out vetoing Croatia’s accession to the EU because of the border issue between the two countries. EU enlargement and the fate of a nation must not be tied to resolving a bilateral dispute over borders.
The report carries a positive message in that it recognises the progress made by Croatia as regards stability in the Western Balkan region, as regards ensuring the country’s economy is ready to compete in the European Union context, and as regards institutional reforms and adoption of European Union legislation. Alongside the positive points, however, the report does not shrink from mentioning the challenges that face us: reforming the judicial system, combating organised crime and corruption, bringing refugee returns to a conclusion, and resolving or alleviating bilateral tensions. I congratulate the rapporteur, Mr Swoboda."@en1
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