The Parliamentary Assembly of the Western European Union is an interparliamentary assembly in charge of issues of European security and defence policy, as well as further development of civil and military capacities of the structures of the European Union. The Colloquy was opened by the Vice President of the Croatian Parliament Ivan Jarnjak, Robert Walter representing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Western European Union and the Head of Delegation of the Republic of Croatia in the Parliamentary Assembly, Zdenko Franić. The Delegation of the Croatian Parliament has been an associate member of the Assembly of the Western European Union since 2005.

Stressing the special value of quality discussions and Reports of the Assembly of the Western European Union, State Secretary Plenković also referred to the situation in the south–eastern Europe in the context of the tenth anniversary of the Zagreb summit held in 2000., when for the first time the perspective of membership in the European Union was clearly pointed out, and in anticipation of the ministerial meeting in Sarajevo on 2 June 2010.

After having achieved one of the key goals of the foreign policy priorities, joining the North Atlantic Treaty in 2009, the Republic of Croatia is about to become a European Union member state. Croatian accession negotiations are in its final phase, said the State Secretary and stressed the dedication to finalise the negotiation process by the end of this year, after which signing of the Treaty of Accession will ensue. He added that Croatia will by its example of joining the European Union serve as an encouragement to the other countries of the region in implementing the necessary reforms and harmonizing with the European legislation. In this context, he reminded that Croatia presented its translation of the acquis to the prime ministers of the countries of south–eastern Europe.

Conclusively, State Secretary Plenković stressed Croatia’s role in missions of the European Union, especially the EULEX Mission in Kosovo with the goal of achieving rule of law in that country, as well as continuous logistic support to the implementation of the military (EUFOR ALTHEA) and civil (EUPM) mission of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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