We are exceptionally satisfied with the start of Croatia's membership talks with the EU, Bishop Josef Homeyer of Germany, chairman of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), told a news conference in Brussels at the end of a two-day COMECE sitting.
The German dignitary also described the opening of the negotiations with Turkey as significant, and added that Ankara must respect human rights and religious freedoms.
The Catholic bishops also supported plans for integrating all Balkan states with the EU after they met the necessary conditions.
They backed Ukraine's aspirations to join the European bloc.
The primate of the Catholic Church in Croatia, Cardinal Josip Bozanic, took part in the Brussels session in his capacity as vice-chairman of the council of European bishops' conferences (CCEE) and as observer since Croatia has become a candidate for EU membership.