Croatia, Macedonia facing roadblocks to EU
Monday, 08 June 2009

Macedonia and Croatia share one joint destiny, which is a roadblock to Europe due to bilateral disputes. Therefore, both countries share a joint approach in this regard, something that can be underlined during the Swedish EU Presidency, said Parliament Vice-Speaker Jani Makraduli after Monday's meeting with Croatian Parliament's delegation, led by chairman of the European Integration Committee, Neven Mimica.

Interlocutors agreed that regardless of the European Parliament elections' result, enlargement must continue, giving a signal to Western Balkan countries.

"The elections have finished and the European Parliament will be constituted. Regardless of the result that center-right parties have won the majority, it is exceptionally important for the region that they send a signal that the enlargement process is not a closed issue, whereas dilemmas over Europe's enlargement fatigue should be cleared up. In this regard, I will quote former EP President Pat Cox, who said the EU without Western Balkan countries is like a man without the two front teeth", added Makraduli.

Chairman of the Croatian Parliament's European Integration Committee Mimica met earlier with Macedonian counterpart Petar Pop Arsov, as well as National Euro-Integration Council Vice-President Silvana Boneva.