Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović held in the German region of Baden-Württemberg Office in Brussels, the Kingdom of Belgium, on Tuesday, July 5, 2005, a lecture during a working breakfast with the Hans Siedel Foundation representatives
Minister Grabar-Kitarović spoke of the Republic of Croatia prospects in the European Union and of the membership advantages, stressing the expectations that the membership would contribute to greater stability, security and prosperity. The Minister also reminded that further enlargement of the EU was confirmed at the European Council meeting, held on June 16 and 17, 2005, despite the fact that the EU was going through a phase of introspection. Minister Grabar-Kitarović stressed Britain's priorities during its presiding over the EU, and said Britain described the EU enlargement as a historical opportunity for creating a bigger and stronger community.
Minister Grabar-Kitarović said she believed the Croatian government full cooperation with the ICTY in The Hague, achieved through the implementation of the Action Plan presented by the Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, would be recognised during Britain's presiding over the European Union. She also said a consensus would be achieved through continual activities of the Task Force and through the dialogue among Croatia, ICTY in The Hague and the European Union, i.e. that a decision on the opening of pre-accession negotiations with the Republic of Croatia would soon be confirmed.
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