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S&D Press release on Conference Croatia - Next EU member
15.06.2010, 12:23
Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament pleaded on June 9 for the strengthening of the economic and social links between Croatia and the EU, in view of the country's forthcoming EU accession.
The conference "Croatia- next EU member", organised by the S&D Group in cooperation with the mission of Croatia to the European Union, aimed to present achievements and opportunities in major economic sectors in Croatia with an emphasis on regional development, as well as highlighting the outcome of the reform process to date.
Hannes Swoboda, S&D vice-president and author of the 2009 progress report on Croatia, believes that Croatia could complete the negotiations by the end of this year and that the access agreement could be signed at the end of this year or early next year.
"We are now in the last phase of joining. It represents not only the finish of a process but also the beginning of a new phase for the country. Croatia made an enormous effort and could be an example for other countries in the region. I have the deep conviction that Croatia deserves the EU membership", stressed the S&D rapporteur.
Said Mr. Swoboda, joint patron of the conference: "Croatian entry will send a positive signal to countries in its neighbourhood. The prospect of EU membership is a powerful incentive for political and economic reforms and strengthening stability".
Mr. Swoboda welcomed the outcome of the Slovenian referendum last Sunday on the border dispute with Croatia:
"I see the result of this referendum as unlocking the door to a new future for the region. A tribunal to determine Slovenia's access to the open sea will begin work as soon as Croatia has signed the EU accession treaty. It will operate within the rules and principles of international law to determine land and sea borders".
"The referendum's outcome demonstrates that through compromise and a shared European future, bilateral issues can be resolved. It serves as a lesson also for EU's future enlargements".
"Engagement and determination are now the key actions to complete membership talks over the next months", Mr. Swoboda concluded.