Ireland's presidency over the European Union coincides with the tenth anniversary of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Thessaloniki at which the Thessaloniki Agenda was adopted. The conclusions agreed by the then EU heads of state and government offered unquestionable support for the European prospects of the Western Balkan countries, stressing that the future of the Balkans was in the EU.
The purpose of the conference is to reflect on progress made over the last 10 years as well as the obstacles and the outlook for the completion of the enlargement project, and also to consider changes in EU policy towards both enlargement in general and the Western Balkans in particular, the ministry said, adding that the conference would also discuss the post-Lisbon situation in light of the euro crisis.
Pusic will discuss Croatia's upcoming EU accession with Ireland's Deputy PM and Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Eamon Gilmore and Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton, and with European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele.