Minister Gordan Jandroković met on margins of Brussels conference on South Eastern Europe with EPP Group Chairman Joseph Daul

Minister Jandroković thanked the EPP Group and Chairman Daul himself for the support they had been showing Croatia during its EU accession process.

Recalling the achievements so far, he expressed conviction in further progress of the negotiations as early as the following international conference slated for December this year. He also said Croatia expected to close the negotiations in the first half of 2011, during Hungary’s EU presidency. In that regard, he said additional efforts would be put forth, especially in justice and public administration reform, as well as in combating corruption.

On behalf of the EPP Group, Chairman Daul expressed strong support for the completion of the negotiation process and Croatia’s joining the EU as soon as possible, declaring full confidence in Croatia’s institutions. He said that the European People’s Party counted on Croatia’s promoting the Euro-Atlantic perspective of the countries of South Eastern Europe, considering it the only guarantee of peace and stability in the region.

Minister Jandroković said Croatia would continue to support all of the region’s countries’ EU and NATO membership.