I received the entire picture of the life in Croatia and of the political and economic situation and I am absolutely convinced that the Copenhagen criteria have been met, Schmitt said and added President Mesic assured him that Croatia was cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The European Union underlined that Croatia must fully cooperate with the Hague tribunal in order to start accession talks on March 17.
The Hungarian diplomat, representative of the European People's Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, said Croatia was on the right path and added that "whatever happens, Croatia has no other path but to aspire towards a united Europe". He expressed hope that a declaration on Croatia's joining the EU would be signed during Mesic's term in office.
Schmitt also said he could not imagine that the European Union start negotiations with Turkey in October and to leave out a small country with 4.5 million people, which is in the heart of Europe.
President Mesic said it was extremely important that "an important institution such as the European Parliament supports the start of negotiations on 17 March".
He said that the postponement of negotiations would "halt democratic processes and economic development in Croatia", adding that it would also be detrimental to the entire southeast of Europe and the Hague tribunal. "That would be bad for all," the Croatian president said.
Answering a reporter's question what would happen "if the story with (fugitive general Ante) Gotovina has not an end" and if it is established that he is not in Croatia, Mesic said that was the exact question he asked in Brussels. "I am still waiting for an answer," Mesic said.
Asked to comment on statements by former Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul who blamed Mesic and his rival at the presidential elections Jadranka Kosor for making what he believed were wrong statements that led to Croatia's present unfavourable position, Mesic said he did not like to get involved in nonsensical debates.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee was set up following a March 2004 European Parliament decision on the appointment of a special delegation for relations with Croatia and a 15 October 2004 Croatian Parliament decision.
Attending the present two-day session are 12 deputies from the most important political groups in the EU, and the European Parliament's rapporteur for Croatia -- Johannes Swoboda of Austria, Georges Santer on behalf of the EU Council of Ministers chairman, and David Daly, who represents the European Commission. Daly is in charge of Croatia's EU entry talks.
The session is chaired by Schmitt and Gordan Jandrokovic, the chairman of Croatia's parliamentary foreign affairs committee.