On occasion of Slovenia’s assuming the EU presidency

On the occasion of the Republic of Slovenia’s assuming the presidency of the European Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia would like to congratulate their Slovenian colleagues and wish them success in executing this demanding role. The Ministry would also like to express satisfaction with Slovenia’s announcement that one of its priorities would be the further enlargement of the EU, at which we expect a successful continuation of Croatia’s EU accession negotiations.

Welcoming the new presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration would also like to point out the importance of its coming during the period awaiting a strong action in further strengthening the common foreign and security policy, especially in a time when South Eastern Europe expects a solution to the remaining open issues, in a way that will strengthen the democratic stability, mutual trust and co-operation, as well as the Euro-Atlantic perspective of this part of Europe, respecting the interests of all nations and to the benefit of unity and strengthening of the common EU policy, as well as preserving the principle of co-cooperativeness in international relations. At the same time, the Slovenian presidency’s support for the SEE countries’ efforts to further approach the EU and the realisation of their Euro-integration aspiration will also be of special importance.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration also expects that during Slovenia’s presidency Croatia will continue with and speed up its accession negotiations with the EU, which will be an important step forward in realising Croatia’s plans and expectations regarding the quality of the negotiations and entering the European Union. Croatia’s further progress in its Euro-Atlantic process will significantly contribute to the stability and overall welfare of South Eastern Europe, providing at the same time additional incentive for other countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process to undertake reforms necessary to harmonise with the EU standards.

This is the first time the EU presidency is assumed by a new member from the fifth wave of enlargement. Congratulating once again on this achievement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration would like to express its conviction that the Slovenian presidency will in the best way confirm that new members can fully and in the European spirit assume the obligations stemming from the membership. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration also expects that by maintaining and adding to the good dynamic of the negotiations with Croatia, Slovenia will greatly contribute to the overall Croatian-Slovenian relations.