"We have always believed that the best way to settle outstanding issues between Italy and Slovenia, or Italy and Croatia, is encouraging the integration of those countries with Europe. That is why we have strongly supported enlargement and Slovenia's accession. Today we support the expansion of the Union to include Croatia, and our message to the Croatian government is that it should be consistent. That is a constant in our policy," the Italian foreign minister and deputy prime minister said.
"Consistency is sometimes difficult, but things are moving forward, including the issue of access of Italian nationals to the Croatian real estate market. We favour the continuation of enlargement, although there are also more skeptic views in the EU," D'Alema said, adding that the entire Western Balkans must view the EU as the 'last stop'.
"It is only in the European Union that the Balkans can overcome the nationalist, ethnic or religious disputes that caused the bloodshed in the past years," the official said.
Asked to comment on Croatia's plans regarding the implementation of the Ecological and Fisheries Protection Zone in the Adriatic, D'Alema said that this was an issue that should be dealt with together by Italy, Croatia and Slovenia.
"We must request Croatia to respect its commitment towards the European Union. We have already adjusted our position on this matter to that of Slovenia. It is clear that we cannot accept unilateral moves on Croatia's part," D'Alema said.