German and French ministers for Europe: welcome to EU!

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić met with German Minister of State Michael Link and French Minister for European Affairs Thierry Repentin

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić met with German Minister of State Michael Link and French Minister for European Affairs Thierry Repentin. The two ministers welcomed Croatia to the EU, while Link confirmed that the German parliament's lower house would ratify Croatia's EU accession treaty on Thursday and the upper house in the first week of June. Asked by the press why Germany was the last to ratify the treaty, he said it was not because of Croatia but Germany's legislation and more complex procedures.

Repentin underlined the symbolic importance of the visit, recalling the 50th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty whereby France and Germany agreed to reconcile. “Although they were at war in the past, Germany and France are united today by joint interests and have become Europe’s driving force,” Repentin said. A parallel can easily be drawn between what Germany and France achieved and what Croatia can do for its neighbours in the Balkans, Pusić said, adding that she discussed with Link and Repentin the future projects their countries would be working on together with Croatia.

Pusić said Croatia’s EU entry was a sign to all the countries in the region that such a feat was possible, stressing that progress in the region was in Croatia, Germany and France’s interest. In that context, the three ministers applauded the agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, saying they closely follow its implementation.

Pusić added that Croatia would continue to be actively involved and cooperate with the countries in the region through four instruments – by sharing all the translated EU documents as well as through the Centre of Excellence, the Croatian House and cross-border projects. “Our next goal is to meet the Schengen requirements and we are already actively working on that. One of the key elements in that project is connecting Croatia's south with the rest of the country. A preliminary feasibility study had shown that a bridge was the best solution. It is now up to us to get co-financing from the funds allotted for Croatia for the seven-year period,” Pusić said.

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