In view of the European Commission’s report on EU enlargement policy and the 2020 Enlargement Package, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs expresses strong support for the continuation of the enlargement process towards all Southeast European countries.
During Croatia’s presidency of the Council of the EU, one of its priorities was a credible enlargement policy, based on individual merit and fair conditionality, because we believe that it effectively stimulates reform processes and guarantees prosperity and stability in Europe’s southeast.
In spite of the challenges facing the EU due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Croatia has managed to keep the enlargement issue in the EU's focus, as well as renew the consensus and reaffirm a credible and efficient enlargement policy.
Along with the Zagreb Summit, which sent a strong political support to the Western Balkan countries, the decision to launch accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia and open the last chapter in negotiations with Montenegro was another success of the Croatian presidency.
The credibility of the enlargement process hinges on clear results in key areas of the rule of law and judicial reform, the fight against corruption and organised crime, security, fundamental human rights, democratic institutions, public administration reform, as well as economic development and competitiveness.
Regional cooperation and maintaining good neighbourly relations remain crucial in the enlargement process. Therefore, it is important that the reports highlight the need for advancement in sensitive issues such as prosecuting war crimes and shedding light on the fate of missing persons as well as creating a constructive atmosphere to overcome the legacy of the past and reconcile. Bilateral issues, however, should be resolved before membership.
Croatia believes that the dynamic of the process should be improved. This is especially true in regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where political issues have to be resolved so that the county can unlock its potential on the journey of reform and European integration. Therefore, it is essential to approach the fulfilment of the June political agreement between the leaders of political parties in good faith, in order to eliminate systematically all forms of inequality and discrimination in the election process.
The report provides a detailed overview of the status of reforms in each country and serves as a roadmap of sorts for the period ahead, highlighting the areas the candidates and potential candidates should focus their efforts on. Croatia welcomes the progress achieved since the last report and encourages all candidates and potential candidates to continue with reforms. Croatia will continue to provide its assistance and support in that regard.
In particular, we welcome the progress achieved by Albania and North Macedonia as well as the first Intergovernmental Conference with the two countries before the end of Germany’s Council of the EU presidency.
Croatia also welcomes the Economic Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, which was announced at the Zagreb Summit and which should stimulate economic growth in the region and speed up its economic convergence with the EU.