"The agreement reached through EU-sponsored talks during the Swedish presidency, and the ratification of the agreement, is an example to the whole of South-Eastern Europe that neighbour-to-neighbour disagreements can be resolved if leaders have the political will to do so",this Swedish politician, who is a member of the European People's Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, said in a statement.
"At a time when most Western Balkan countries are failing to address serious obstacles on the way to EU membership, Croatia is setting a good example," he added.
Hoekmark reiterated the European Parliament"s wish to see Croatia join the EU in 2012, while stressing that "key issues have yet to be settled, such as the failure to improve cooperation with the Hague Tribunal (ICTY) and the sensitive issue of state aid to Croatian shipyards".