Today, 1 April 2004, at its plenary session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament unanimously adopted the Recommendation of the Council of the European Union about Croatia's request for EU membership
In its Recommendation, the European Parliament welcomes Croatia’s application for EU membership, considering Croatia to be ready for the candidate status and pointing out that Croatia’s becoming an associated member would set an example an motivate other countries in the region.
The Recommendation recognises the progress Croatia has made in fulfilling the political criteria and emphasises the importance of continuing the co-operation with the Hague Tribunal, as well as the importance of the refugees return, co-operation with the neighbours, minority rights and justice reform. The European Parliament calls on the Council of the European Union to support to Croatia in the process of approaching the EU, and calls on those member states which have not yet ratified the SAA to do so.
The European Parliament’s Recommendation gives strong support to Croatia, which member states will have to take into consideration when they will, after the European Commission publishes its opinion, reach political decisions about Croatia on level of the Council of the EU – on giving the candidate status and on starting the negotiations for joining the EU.
The ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the European Parliament’s Recommendation that is consistent with Croatia’s efforts in approaching the EU.
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