Assistant Minister Hrvoje Marušić attended a conference on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden to the EU, organized by said countries’ embassies in cooperation with the European Commission Representation in Croatia. The conference discussed the enlargement policy then, now and in the future.
Congratulating Austria, Finland and Sweden on the 20 years of successful EU membership and referencing Croatia’s experiences, Marušić underlined that the EU enlargement policy was still very important, especially in today’s unstable circumstances at the outer EU border. Croatia believes that the countries of Southeast Europe belong to the European community and sees the process as one of consolidation rather than enlargement. So that it could continue, it is important for it to be tailor-made for each country’s specific circumstances without lowering the criteria, at which it is extremely important that the criteria be valid and clear and the EU presented as a desirable place, since a candidate’s wish to join it is the strongest enlargement catalyst. Marušić stressed the importance of the so-called “grassroots Euro-integration”, i.e. involving citizens, academic community and civil society into the entire process, emphasizing in particular the role of the media. As an especially important factor of Euro-integration he underscored economic growth, adding Croatia welcomed the increased emphasis on economic issues in the enlargement process. Humanitarian values are the foundation of the EU, while jobs and education are the basis for a successful and enlarged EU, said Marušić.