WACHAU, June 28 (Hina) - Croatia has a chance to join the European Union in 2007 and Austria fully supports it in that, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner said on Saturday.
WACHAU, June 28 (Hina) - Croatia has a chance to join the European
Union in 2007 and Austria fully supports it in that, Austrian
Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner said on Saturday. #L#
Croatia's prospects on the road to the EU are outstanding and there
is a chance it will make the important step of joining in 2007,
together with Bulgaria and Romania, something in which Austria
fully supports it, Ferrero-Waldner told Croatian reporters at
Goettweig monastery.
This is a big challenge for Croatia, particularly to carry out
reforms so as to adjust to European standards as demanded by EU
nations, the minister said, adding this was not going to be an easy
road but Austria would support Croatia.
Croatia has made an important step towards the EU by applying for
membership and its achievements to date make it a model for other
countries in the region, said Ferrero-Waldner.
Today she presided the traditional European Forum Wachau, which
this year focused on the future of the EU in the light of internal
reforms and enlargement.
Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula spoke at the event about
the country's preparations for EU entry and views of the reform of
EU institutions and the situation in Southeast Europe.
(hina) ha sb