KOPENHAGEN, Oct 1 (Hina) - Croatia will be ready to join the European Union by the end of this decade and it will join it when the EU decides on a new expansion round after 2004, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said in
Kopenhagen on Tuesday.
KOPENHAGEN, Oct 1 (Hina) - Croatia will be ready to join the
European Union by the end of this decade and it will join it when the
EU decides on a new expansion round after 2004, Croatian Foreign
Minister Tonino Picula said in Kopenhagen on Tuesday. #L#
"Croatia will be ready by the end of this decade, after which things
will not be only up to us," said Picula, who today spoke about
Croatia's relations with the EU at the Danish society for foreign
policy.
According to Picula, Croatia has made significant progress in
drawing closer to the EU. "The country has been complying
consistently with the Stabilisation and Association Agreement
because the EU is its chance, strategic reality and logical need,"
he said.
Although Croatia has been making efforts to fulfil its obligations,
everything is not proceeding smoothly. "We are currently facing a
challenge regarding the indictment against a former Croatian Army
Chief-of-Staff, General Janko Bobetko. My government insists on
the prosecution of all war crimes, but the indictment against Gen.
Bobetko contains some elements which it considers unfounded, which
is why it has initiated procedure to challenge it before the Hague
tribunal," Picula said.
During his two-day visit to Denmark, Picula will on Wednesday
discuss relations between Croatia and the EU and the current
situation in the country and the region with Per Stig Moller, the
foreign minister of Denmark, which is chairing the EU.
(hina) rml