"We expect the European prospects that the EU gave Western Balkan countries in the Thessaloniki conclusions to be confirmed, but on the basis of an individual approach and achievements of each country in the process of reforms," said the minister, who will join the EU foreign ministers with her colleagues from the region at an informal meeting in Salzburg on Saturday.
Grabar Kitarovic said that Croatia supported the European Commission's document on the Western Balkans proposing the establishment of a regional free trade zone, but that it would suggest that this be done by expanding the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), which should lower its membership criteria so that all countries of the region and Moldavia could join it.
According to diplomatic sources, there are divisions in the EU regarding the text of a declaration which is expected to be adopted at a discussion on the Western Balkans on Saturday. According to those sources, France, supported by Germany and the Netherlands, wants the document not only to confirm the European prospects of the said countries but also to mention the EU's potential for absorbing a new enlargement round.
It is still not known if the joint declaration will be adopted or if the Austrian presidency will only issue a statement on the matter.
Grabar Kitarovic said that Croatia was not worried because it was already conducting negotiations on EU membership and that it was irrelevant if this would be stated in the form of a declaration or a statement by the EU presidency.