VIENNA, May 6 (Hina) - The president of the Pan-European Union, Otto von Habsburg, stressed in Vienna on Tuesday that "Croatia must become an integral part of the European Union in 2007".
VIENNA, May 6 (Hina) - The president of the Pan-European Union, Otto
von Habsburg, stressed in Vienna on Tuesday that "Croatia must
become an integral part of the European Union in 2007". #L#
"We must assume the obligation to do everything to see Croatia
become full member as soon as possible," von Habsburg said during a
lecture about EU's enlargement as an important step towards a Pan-
Europe at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.
Much progress has been achieved in the EU enlargement plan, but one
should not stop on this road, he said.
There are areas which are absolutely European, but are still not
part of the EU. Primarily this is Croatia, with which Austria's
entire history is entwined, said von Habsburg, and stressed that it
was nonsense when some European circles mentioned Croatia as part
of the western Balkans.
"It is crucial for Croatia to become member of the EU in 2007, even
more for us because Europe without Croatia is not Europe. Traces of
Austrian-Croatian historic ties, and European ties, are visible in
Croatia in every step. Croatia has the right to become full member
of the EU and it is our task, obligation and responsibility to
advocate that it achieves this as soon as possible," he told Hina
after the lecture.
Von Habsburg also recalled historic circumstances, saying that
"Croats opposed the Turkish troops and so had a crucial role in
Vienna's defence of the Turkish invasion".
(hina) lml