EU member Croatia touts regional ties
Source: Agencies |
July 2, 2013, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
IN its first day as a European Union member, Croatia yesterday pledged to help other Balkan countries move closer to the bloc and to help bring lasting stability to a region which was engulfed in conflict 20 years ago.
Croatian President Ivo Josipovic met with leaders of other Balkan countries just hours after his country became the union's 28th member state. It is only the second former Yugoslav republic to join, following Slovenia in 2004.
Josipovic said Balkan leaders have agreed to future meetings to discuss joint projects and resolve remaining issues weighing on regional ties.
EU officials will join the gatherings that will also focus on further EU integration of the region, he said.
"I look at the future with much optimism," Josipovic said, greeting the Balkan leaders "on the first European morning."
Croatia marked the entry on Sunday with fireworks and festivities that lasted long into the night.
EU membership is considered to be a milestone for the country of 4.2 million people that suffered four years of war after declaring independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991.
Integration into the EU is viewed as key in pacifying the Balkans, still reeling from the wars that claimed more than 100,000 lives, left millions homeless and impoverished the region. Lured by the prospects of EU entry, Balkan foes Serbia and Kosovo recently struck a historic deal normalizing ties.
Tiny Montenegro, an Adriatic country of just over 600,000 people, is expected to be the next in line to join the EU.
Serbia has been given green light to start accession negotiations in January, while Kosovo will open the initial stage of the process.
Bosnia has been lagging behind because of the bickering between its Serb, Muslim and Croat politicians which has snarled ordinary government activity.
Nebojsa Radmanovic, head of Bosnia's three-member presidency, yesterday urged the EU to make a "brave leap" and embrace other Balkan countries.
"The citizens of Bosnia expect to see quicker and more determined steps toward integration," he said.
Kosovo's President Atifete Jahjaga added that Croatia's entry "opened a new page in the integration of the Western Balkan countries."
In the Serbian capital of Belgrade, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy yesterday hailed the "courageous" agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, saying it "puts an end to a period of conflict that erupted in the heart of Europe two decades ago."
Croatian President Ivo Josipovic met with leaders of other Balkan countries just hours after his country became the union's 28th member state. It is only the second former Yugoslav republic to join, following Slovenia in 2004.
Josipovic said Balkan leaders have agreed to future meetings to discuss joint projects and resolve remaining issues weighing on regional ties.
EU officials will join the gatherings that will also focus on further EU integration of the region, he said.
"I look at the future with much optimism," Josipovic said, greeting the Balkan leaders "on the first European morning."
Croatia marked the entry on Sunday with fireworks and festivities that lasted long into the night.
EU membership is considered to be a milestone for the country of 4.2 million people that suffered four years of war after declaring independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991.
Integration into the EU is viewed as key in pacifying the Balkans, still reeling from the wars that claimed more than 100,000 lives, left millions homeless and impoverished the region. Lured by the prospects of EU entry, Balkan foes Serbia and Kosovo recently struck a historic deal normalizing ties.
Tiny Montenegro, an Adriatic country of just over 600,000 people, is expected to be the next in line to join the EU.
Serbia has been given green light to start accession negotiations in January, while Kosovo will open the initial stage of the process.
Bosnia has been lagging behind because of the bickering between its Serb, Muslim and Croat politicians which has snarled ordinary government activity.
Nebojsa Radmanovic, head of Bosnia's three-member presidency, yesterday urged the EU to make a "brave leap" and embrace other Balkan countries.
"The citizens of Bosnia expect to see quicker and more determined steps toward integration," he said.
Kosovo's President Atifete Jahjaga added that Croatia's entry "opened a new page in the integration of the Western Balkan countries."
In the Serbian capital of Belgrade, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy yesterday hailed the "courageous" agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, saying it "puts an end to a period of conflict that erupted in the heart of Europe two decades ago."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
