ZAGREB, Jan 12 (Hina) - Croatian opposition politicians do not want Croatia to join the European Union at just any cost, at the cost of losing identity, a French parliamentary deputy and presidential candidate at the upcoming
elections, Christine Boutin, told a press conference in Zagreb on Saturday. During talks with Croatian politicians I was able to see their commitment to Croatia and Croatian identity, their concern about the economic and social situation in the country, hope for future elections, as well as concerns regarding admission to the European Union, said Boutin, who paid a two-day visit to Croatia. During her stay in Zagreb, Boutin held talks with representatives of opposition parties - the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the Croatian True Revival (HIP), the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) and the Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HKDU). She also held talks with church dignitaries. Her visit was organised
ZAGREB, Jan 12 (Hina) - Croatian opposition politicians do not want
Croatia to join the European Union at just any cost, at the cost of
losing identity, a French parliamentary deputy and presidential
candidate at the upcoming elections, Christine Boutin, told a press
conference in Zagreb on Saturday.
During talks with Croatian politicians I was able to see their
commitment to Croatia and Croatian identity, their concern about
the economic and social situation in the country, hope for future
elections, as well as concerns regarding admission to the European
Union, said Boutin, who paid a two-day visit to Croatia.
During her stay in Zagreb, Boutin held talks with representatives
of opposition parties - the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the
Croatian True Revival (HIP), the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) and
the Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HKDU). She also held talks
with church dignitaries. Her visit was organised on the occasion of
the tenth anniversary of Croatia's recognition by France.
Asked whether she believed the globalisation was a threat to the
identity of small countries and peoples, Boutin said nobody could
stop this process.
She added nobody should fear globalisation if they valued their
identity.
Boutin advocated the development of French-Croatian economic and
cultural relations.
Boutin is a parliamentary deputy of the Union for French Democracy
(UDF), a moderate right-wing party, and presidential candidate at
the upcoming elections, scheduled for April 20.
She held a lecture called "EU - A Union of States or A State Union" in
Zagreb on Friday.
(hina) it sb