“Croatia is probably the best prepared country to join the European Union,” European Commissioner for Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration Maroš Šefčovič said after meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić. “I believe that the start of your country’s functioning as a member will be a lot easier than for most countries that joined in 2004 and later,” he told the press, adding that he considered Croatia to be an excellent example to other countries in the region and an important signal for the enlargement process.
Pusić and Šefčovič discussed institutional arrangements and participation of Croatian experts in the work of European institutions at various levels. It is estimated that around 249 people from Croatia will be employed in European Commission over the next five years, which includes all levels, from European commissioner to head of department etc. within the European Commission.
The talks also focused on the ability to absorb European funds, the e-government project and the need for a close cooperation with the European Commission, whereby Šefčovič offered and promised his close cooperation and assistance. "That encourages us and with that we in fact are starting the second phase: exiting the accession phase and entering the phase of functioning as a member state", Pusić said.