PORTOROZ PORTOROZ, May 10 (Hina) - A meeting of the parliamentary leaders of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative member-states ended in Slovenia's resort of Portoroz on Monday evening with the adoption of a final document which hails
Slovenia's admission into the EU and expresses support to Croatia to start negotiations on full EU membership as soon as possible.
PORTOROZ, May 10 (Hina) - A meeting of the parliamentary leaders of the
Adriatic-Ionian Initiative member-states ended in Slovenia's resort of
Portoroz on Monday evening with the adoption of a final document which
hails Slovenia's admission into the EU and expresses support to
Croatia to start negotiations on full EU membership as soon as
possible.#L#
The meeting, which was attended by Croatian Parliament President
Vladimir Seks, also focused on the role of the Adriatic-Ionian
parliaments in the stabilisation and progress of the region, as well
as the influence of national legislation on illegal migration. It was
said that aspirations to become an EU member and necessary reforms and
democratisation process were the main framework for the stabilisation
and progress of countries aspiring to join the EU.
The latest EU enlargement is a historic even, the document said. The
Adriatic-Ionian member-countries confirmed they would continue to work
on stepping up integration processes.
"We hail Slovenia's recent admission into the EU and the European
Commission's positive avis regarding Croatia's EU membership
application. We believe Croatia should be fully supported to start
negotiations on joining the EU as soon as possible," it was said in a
joint final document which was adopted by the presidents and vice
presidents of the parliament of the Adriatic-Ionian member states.
Also hailed was the European Commission's recent assessment of the
"feasibility study", the document which refers to Bosnia's readiness
to start negotiations with the European Union on the
institutionalisation of its cooperation with the EU..
"We congratulate Slovenia on EU full membership. This is a big sign of
encouragement for the other countries, notably Croatia," Croatia's
Vladimir Seks told a news conference, He voices satisfaction with the
fact that the final document emphasised the European Commission's
positive avis on Croatia's EU membership application and the fact that
Croatia received support from all Adriatic-Ionian Initiative member
countries.
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