Jandroković: Croatia expects a positive report from the European Commission

Croatia expects a positive progress report that the European Commission will publish in November and deserves an indicative calendar for the completion of accession negotiations, stated Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandroković on Saturday in Avignon.

"We believe that the progress report will be positive for Croatia. We know what our main challenges are – the chapters on Market Competition and Justice and Fundamental Rights – we are aware that we need to make the greatest strides in these areas. We expect that in the upcoming period, through work on the domestic front and through contacts with our colleagues, we will be able to convince member states that Croatia is successfully implementing reforms and deserves an indicative calendar for the completion of negotiations", Jandroković stated in Avignon, where he participated in an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers. The European Commission is expected to provide an indicative calendar for the completion of accession negotiations with Croatia by autumn next year in its progress report.

Jandroković said he had a series of short bilateral meetings, including with Spanish Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos, with whom he agreed on a bilateral visit to Madrid in October, with Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen, who confirmed his arrival in Zagreb, and with Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn.

"These were very useful discussions. It was important to hear support for Croatia in its efforts to achieve full EU membership. Reforms are underway, the negotiation process is ongoing, and although there is still a lot of work to be done, it seems to me that we have strong support to successfully complete this process", said the Croatian minister. EU foreign ministers discussed transatlantic relations, the crisis in Georgia, relations with Russia, and the peace process in the Middle East at the two-day informal meeting. Ministers from candidate countries Croatia, Turkey, and Macedonia participated in part of the meeting where the Middle East was discussed.

"This is an informal meeting and it is extremely useful, in a free atmosphere, to hear and exchange opinions with them; this is an important step forward for Croatia", Jandroković said, emphasizing that Croatia makes its foreign policy positions independently, while coordinating with European colleagues at such meetings.

"Croatia coordinates its foreign policy not to evade responsibility, but because we believe that this is the best way to protect the interests of the Republic of Croatia and its citizens", he added. (Hina)