”The first goal represents peace and stability. Integration has set the foundations for economic growth, top education, and ennobling of people. We are aware of the richness that peace and stability represent because Croatia has been through a war and recovered from its consequences,” said Minister Grabar-Kitarović. She also added that the situation in the region is completely different compared to fifteen years ago. ”Peace has created prospects and the European model is used to resolve the rest of the problems. Progress in Southeast Europe during the past period is evident. Croatia took advantage of the past decade of peace and today Croatia is considered as the regional leader by the international community, not only in its progress towards full membership in the EU, but also in all the activities directed towards cooperation enhancement in the region, resolving bilateral issues, and helping other countries in the field of Euroatlantic Integration,” Minister Grabar-Kitarović pointed out.
As the second European accomplishment Minister Grabar-Kitarović indicated the successful process of EU enlargement. In this view she pointed out that, on the occasion of signing the EU Constitutional Treaty, the Government of the Republic of Croatia adopted a statement in which it expressed its readiness to contribute to the project of European integration and strengthening of societies, based on the principles of peace, freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, law, security, solidarity, and economic progress. These are the very values that comprise the texture of the Europe of today and the Europe of the future, said Minister Grabar-Kitarović.
”Croatia is carefully monitoring the current debate on enlargement and institutional reforms of the EU.” We hope that the results of this debate will give zest to the enlargement, because we believe that the continuation of the enlargement of the EU also serves as an additional stimulus for internal reforms of the Union itself, as well as for reforms in the candidate countries. The enlargement is in the interest of all the European countries and their citizens. All the existing studies of the effects of the enlargement undoubtedly show this,” said Minister Grabar-Kitarović. Without the continuation of the enlargement, on the remaining countries of the Southeast Europe above all, the European project is not and cannot be complete. The Republic of Croatia takes a stand on every candidate country being evaluated according to its own merits, and that is exactly the reason why Croatia is ready for new challenges and why it remains certain about the final outcome – full membership in the European Union, Minister Grabar-Kitarović pointed out.
The third goal is the formation of what is called the European society model, which is best suitable for the European people. The starting point is the idea that the political community should share the values which guarantee connection and give legitimacy and meaning to it. The strength of the European society consists in promoting social cohesion and strengthening connections between different population groups. Due to a multitude of diversities there is a guarantee for the preservation of the national identity, regional diversities, and other personal and collective liberties.
The final goal, Minister Grabar-Kitarović pointed out, refers to the acceptance of the European idea with the citizens who live the European Union every day. - Successful explaining of the European idea has lately been recognized as perhaps the greatest challenge for the future of the Union.