- Published: 25.06.2013.
Pusic: Croatia to participate in EU youth employment programme
The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Vesna Pusic, said that Croatia would participate in the European Union's youth employment assistance programme...
(Hina) - The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Vesna Pusic, said that Croatia would participate in the European Union's youth employment assistance programme, which was one of the topics discussed by the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
The Council also discussed the next multiannual financial framework and EU enlargement.
"As far as Croatia is concerned, particularly interesting is youth employment, although of course all three topics have a direct impact on us and are very important to us," Pusic told the press, adding that Croatia would be able to participate in the youth employment assistance programme.
About 6 billion euros has been earmarked in the EU budget for that purpose, and it has been proposed that most of the funds should be used in the first two years of the next budget, meaning in 2014 and 2015. The programme is intended for all countries or regions where youth unemployment exceeds 25 per cent, "which means that Croatia, unfortunately, qualifies for this kind of aid," Pusic said. She added that such aid would mean a lot to reduce unemployment among young people and to boost employment.
On the subject of the EU enlargement process, Pusic said that this topic sparked a lively debate and revealed different views on the opening of accession negotiations with Serbia and of negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo.
"Croatia supports (the proposal) that Serbia should be given a specific date for the start of negotiations and that Kosovo should start SAA negotiations, and the Commission is fully agreed that both countries are ready for this start," Pusic said.
She said that an agreement on the multiannual financial framework was nearly reached, noting that it was very important for Croatia because it meant that Croatia would be able to function normally within that financial package as of July 1 when it joins the Union.