It is important for candidate countries to meet the set criteria, with the EU ensuring its efficient functioning and development, Matti Vanhanen, the prime minister of the EU chair Finland, said at the end of the meeting of heads of state or government of EU member countries.
We did not set any new criteria, the door stays open, Vanhanen said, adding that the European Council had confirmed European prospects for the Western Balkans.
The European Council added to conclusions on enlargement separate paragraphs on two negotiating countries, Croatia and Turkey, and Western Balkan countries.
The EU leaders supported conclusions by EU foreign ministers adopted at their last meeting on December 11. Those conclusions state that Croatia had made progress in the past year and that its accession negotiations had started well, and Zagreb is urged to continue working on the basis of the achieved results.
The EU foreign ministers said that particular attention should be paid to accelerating reforms in the judiciary and state administration, the fight against corruption, economic reforms and the fulfilment of obligations from the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, particularly the part referring to government subsidies and the purchase of real estate by foreign nationals.
The ministers called on Croatia to continue with full cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal and good neighbourly relations and cooperation in the region.
The Brussels summit practically ends the Finnish EU presidency. On 1 January, EU chairmanship will be taken over by Germany.