Schmitt expressed satisfaction with the progress Croatia had made in the process of accession to the European Union and with the reforms it was implementing. In this context he said that members of the European Parliament were aware of the fact that considering forthcoming elections in November it was hard for the Croatian government to make unpopular decisions.
Schmitt said he was concerned about oscillations in public support for Croatia's EU entry, stressing that Croatia was enjoying full support in its efforts to join the EU as a full member as soon as possible.
Schmitt said he was confident that in the next progress report Croatia would be evaluated on the basis of the results it had achieved, the statement said.
Mesic said that Croatia was undertaking reforms in public administration and the judiciary, and that it was making great efforts to ensure the return of all refugees and displaced persons to their prewar homes in Croatia regardless of their ethnic background.
Mesic noted that Croatia had adopted high standards for the protection of national minorities and that Croatian legislation in that area had been fully adjusted to European standards.
Croatia is working on further normalisation of relations with its neighbours, and is being assisted by the Hague tribunal in bringing those responsible for war crimes to justice. It is in the interests of both Croatia and the region that our neighbours should also adopt European democratic standards, Mesic said.