Conference of the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung and the Centre for European Studies “Enlargement and Consolidation of the European Union”

It is a great pleasure for me to address you all at today’s conference entitled “Enlargement and Consolidation of the European Union”. Let me say that I welcome this opportunity offered by Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung and the Centre for European Studies to discuss some of the key challenges of the European Union and to share with you Croatia’s views and perspectives on these processes.

During half a century, the European Union has pursued ever-deeper integration while taking in new members. For the Republic of Croatia joining the European Union and NATO has been a strategic goal. We fully embarked upon a comprehensive process of transition and reform of our society, a complex process of political and economic transformation.

I am delighted to be able to say that one important part of our devoted efforts in the reform processes was recognized last week in Bucharest where NATO extended the invitation to Croatia to begin accession talks to join the Alliance. This achievement is earned through years of hard work and a demonstrated commitment to regional security and stability.

Regional cooperation is one of the pillars of Croatian foreign policy. Our Euro-Atlantic integration process sets a good example and encourages all the countries in the region of South-East Europe. Croatian membership in the Alliance will present a strong additional impetus to promote good and open neighborhood relations ensuring further regional stability and prosperity as well.

As for the enlargement of the European Union, the developments in the past two years showed that many Europeans have a variety of concerns about the final borders of the EU and about European identity itself. Each country views its geopolitical or economic interests differently – it is plain to see, there are no simple answers to these questions.

A debate on the two seemingly contradictory priorities – consolidation or further enlargement – has begun to dominate the rather informal political agenda, depending on the enlargement enthusiasm of the actual participants in these discussions. In these discussions the juxtaposition of the two priorities was used either to suggest the complementarities or to emphasize the contrast between them.

Croatia strongly believes that the two processes are inter-linked and complementary. Why? Last fifty years of European integration has shown that the EU as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This is the case in global justice and stability, in political, economic, social, commercial and technological areas, where European Union is greater acting together than if member states have to act individually.

Enlargements have made a major contribution to the unification of Europe as well, fostering democracy, human rights and stability across the continent. Enlargements have stimulated development of new EU policies and generated specific economic gains, in terms of trade investment and economic growth. The enlarged EU is a stronger actor on the international scene with 27 Member States than it was with 6, 12 or 15 Member States.

EU politicians were aware that one of the greatest recent challenges facing the European continent was the question of stabilizing South-East Europe. We believe that the Stabilization and Association Process proved to be an efficient instrument for achieving this goal: the concept of conditionality where the reform efforts are followed by upgrading of country’s status in the process of euro integration as well as the idea of regional co-operation have resulted in deep and serious transformations of regional societies.

Croatia as the most advanced country of the Stabilization and Association Process is strongly determined to support other countries in the region on their path towards Europe. We are more than ready to share our experiences because there is not any alternative to a stable and prosperous neighborhood.

To be concrete:

Concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina, we would like to see it as a self sustainable functioning European state, where all three constituent peoples, Croats, Bosniaks and Serbs, are equal and are enjoying the same rights.

Montenegro also has the right to pursue its future in Euro-Atlantic integration and is already proceeding in that direction. I am glad to say that they can count not only with our support but also with our effective technical assistance.

We regret that Macedonia, an EU candidate country, has not been extended the NATO membership invitation. Nevertheless, we hope a solution will arise soon, enabling Macediona to receive its invitation.

Kosovo is a newly-established state in our region. We welcome the statements by Kosovo’s leadership regarding protection for minority communities and their inclusion in the public administration and the political life.

Serbia is still facing serious challenges deriving from its failed foreign policy, but we sincerely hope that it will be able to assume its place in Europe. It should show readiness and ability for a new future.

We should repeat the message for our neighbours: do not give up. The integration of South East Europe into Euro-Atlantic structures will continue.

If we look at Croatia’s example, we can say that since the opening of negotiations in October 2005, we have been making constant and steady progress on our path towards the EU.

It is in our vital interest to maintain a good dynamic and quality of negotiations throughout this and the first half of next year, a period crucial for the successful completion of our accession process. In this regard, Croatia is determined to effectively address the remaining opening as well as closing benchmarks and to vigorously implement all other key reforms in order to achieve readiness for EU membership and finalize negotiations in 2009.

We are encouraged by the statement of the Commission President Barroso released last month, following his meeting with Prime Minister Sanader, in which he said that, providing Croatia fulfils the necessary preconditions, this autumn “the Commission will present an indicative timetable for the technical conclusion of the negotiations in 2009”.

At this point I would like to emphasize the importance of the principle of responsibility in the approach to the international relations and the conduct of foreign policy at the time when the interdependence of the global factors is increasing and becoming more pronounced than ever. Our efforts in contributing to the positive development of international relations through the responsible conduct of foreign policy have been materialized through a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council and the last week's invitation to NATO membership.

We are living in a world in which Europe will not be able to ignore its responsibility to contribute to global peace, justice and stability. Meanwhile, we recognize that a strong Europe speaking with a single voice is best equipped to defend and promote our values and interests. The EU has to ensure that its population remains beneficiary rather than the victim of the great global changes that are taking place.

Going back to the title of today's conference I would like to point to the need to consider future developments in South-East Europe. The confirmation of enlargement as one of the EU priorities will contribute considerably to the successful continuation of the Stabilization and Association Process and to achieving its final goal – membership of the EU for all the countries of the Stabilization and Association Process.

Looking back – and looking to the days ahead – I am certain that the enlargement represents a prospective gain for the citizens of Europe. The enlargement has demonstrated the Union's commitment to extending the process of building Europe to all the European states that are ready and willing to participate in it. Croatia, by all means, is one of them.