EU ENLARGEMENT: Croatia has "considerably high" expectations that its application to the join the European Union will be accepted, the country's foreign minister said yesterday.
Dr Miomir Zuzul said in Dublin that his government's "main strategic goal" was EU membership. He was convinced that his government's progress towards meeting the entry criteria would lead to a declaration of candidate status at a meeting of the European Council in June.
He was speaking after meeting the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, who said that Croatia had made "remarkable" progress economically and in the reform process. Mr Cowen said he hoped that the European Commission would produce an opinion on Croatia's application before the EU summit in March.
"If it is positive, Ireland will facilitate its consideration by the Council, with a view to a possible decision on candidate status at the June European Council," he said. However, Mr Cowen said the Commission needed to see further progress on the return of refugees, regional co-operation and Croatia's co-operation with the Hague war crimes tribunal.
Mr Cowen added that Mr Zuzul had "repeated Croatia's commitment to proceed consistent with policies that have been enunciated by his Government since their election".
On the political situation in south-east Europe in general, Mr Zuzul said Croatia should serve as a bridge for the stabilisation of the region.
"The accession of Croatia to the European Union would be a very positive sign not only for the future of the entire region, but also for the European Union," Mr Zuzul said.
