The EC President wants to show with his first visit to Zagreb that the relations between Croatia and the EU have been raised to a new level after Croatia's EU membership talks were successfully launched, the last remaining obstacle in cooperation with the Hague tribunal removed and the process of adjustment to EU legislation launched last year, Degert said.
Barosso, who is to visit Zagreb on Wednesday with Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and EU chief negotiator Michael Lee, will hold talks with Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, President Stjepan Mesic, and the chairman of the National committee monitoring EU entry talks, Ivica Racan. He is also expected to address the parliament.
Degert repeated that the talks would focus on Croatia's EU accession talks, reform of the state administration and the judiciary, the fight against corruption, refugee return, minority rights and media freedoms.
Regional cooperation will also be discussed, Degert said, adding that he was surprised by some reactions in Croatia to the EC's proposal for the establishment of a free trade zone in Southeast Europe.
The EC is open to all options as long as they lead to the result to which it aspires, Degert said, adding that the issue of whether that result would be achieved through a regional free trade zone or through CEFTA, which he said had stricter criteria, was of a technical nature.