ZAGREB, Sept 19 (Hina) - Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Ivo Sanader met Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern in Dublin on Friday and requested Irish support for Croatia's efforts to join the European Union.
ZAGREB, Sept 19 (Hina) - Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Ivo
Sanader met Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern in Dublin on Friday
and requested Irish support for Croatia's efforts to join the
European Union. #L#
Sanader said his party was firmly committed to Croatia becoming a
full member of the EU, and stressed that Croatia's ambition was to
join the EU in 2007 along with Romania and Bulgaria, the strongest
Croatian opposition party said in a statement.
Ahern conveyed his government's full support to Croatia on its path
to the EU, and added that one of the priorities during the Irish
presidency of the EU would be further EU expansion.
The Republic of Ireland takes over the EU rotating presidency in
January 2004.
Ahern offered his country's support in preparing talks with the
European Commission.
The two officials agreed that achieving lasting political
stability in southeastern Europe, resolving all open issues among
neighbouring countries and development of cooperation were of
exceptional importance to Europe.
They also agreed that each country should be treated individually
on its path to the European Union, the statement said.
Sanader congratulated the Irish prime minister on the successes of
his government during two terms of office, and stressed that the
Irish economic model was applicable in Croatia.
The HDZ leader also informed his host about upcoming parliamentary
elections in Croatia, saying that his party would win and form a new
coalition government.
The HDZ delegation is on a three-day official visit at the
invitation of the ruling conservative party Fianna Fail.
(hina) vm