ZAGREB, November 28, 2019 - During its chairmanship of the European Union in the first half of 2020, Croatia will advocate for the continuation of southeast European aspirants' journey to the European Union, as Zagreb finds this important for the transformation, peace and stability in the region, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said in parliament on Wednesday.
Plenković presented to Croatian lawmakers a report on the 17-18 October European Council meeting during which European leaders in Brussels discussed a new institutional framework of the European Union, enlargement process, Brexit, a new seven-year budget of the European Union, climate change and the developments in Turkey.
The European Council failed to reach an unanimous decision on opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, as France, the Netherlands and Denmark were opposed to the opening despite the fact that the European Commission gave a green-light for the start of their membership talks.
The European Council is expected to put this topic again on its agenda before a summit meeting of the EU and southeastern European countries, set for May in Zagreb, Plenković said.
Plenković explained reasons why Croatia found it important for the enlargement process to continue.
Enlargement is important for transformation of the countries that are still outside the bloc, he said adding that Croatia is aware of its importance for peace and stability particularly in the southeast of Europe.
The process of accession is good lever to undertake reform processes concerning democratic values, strengthening of the legal system and reforms aimed at making those aspirants functional market economies, he added.
This is also important for the sake of good neighbourly relations, resolution of outstanding issues, respect of human and minority rights, he added.
We also conduct consultations with key partners in the Union, new leaders of EU institutions as well as with neighbouring countries so as to really calibrate the expectations of those who would like to go forward, in parallel to being acquainted with details, moods and real possibilities of EU members, he said.
In cooperation with the new European Council President, Charles Michel, we must find a balance and send political messages that will pave the way for a road-map for the decade ahead of us, he said.
Plenković reiterated four umbrella areas for Croatia's presidency: a Europe that develops, connects and protects and is influential on the global scene.
Croatia will continue to work on its two strategic priorities. its Schengen membership bid and its preparations for the euro adoption.
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