”It was not easy to make the case for enlargement in the current political reality. The Croatian case is a success for the country itself that tackled and continues to tackle reforms, for the EU that has shown itself capable of overcoming doubts in order to make sure EU enlargement remains a viable tool for democratisation, and for Croatia’s neighbours whose EU membership bids have received new impetus and tangible proof that reforms do pay off”, said Gunnar Hökmark MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group and Chairman of the EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) of the European Parliament.
The JPC met today for the first time after the conclusion of Croatian negotiations to join the European Union.
Chairman Hökmark recalled the successful role of the JPC in pushing the Croatian process forward: ”Over the last two years, there was a lot of uncertainty about when the negotiations would end. We are now on the path of certainty. Over the last years, we have been in constant communication with our colleagues from the Croatian Parliament addressing the arising issues in the negotiation process and giving political backing to Croatian EU aspirations and reform efforts.”
”We are looking forward to continuing the cooperation with the Croatian representatives who will come to the European Parliament as Observers”, continued Mr Hökmark.
In today’s Declaration, the Joint Parliamentary Committee congratulated the Government, parliamentarians and the people of Croatia for their remarkable success in concluding the EU accession negotiations.
In Focus: Challenges for future enlargement to the Western Balkans
For further information:
Gunnar Hökmark MEP, Tel: +32-2-2845822
Lada Jurica, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-476-330383
Notes to Editors:
The EU-Croatia JPC is a body that brings together twice a year representatives of the European Parliament and of the Croatian Parliament to follow progress in Croatia’s EU accession process. The JPC is co-chaired by Gunnar Hökmark (EPP, SE), on the side of the European Parliament, and Marija Pejčinović-Burić (HDZ, EPP) on the side of the Croatian Parliament.
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 264 Members.