Brussels, 25/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - Glowing with the massive support of the EPP-ED for his country's accession to the European Union, Croat prime minister, Ivo Sanader, appealed for the European Council of June 17-18 to accept his country's candidacy, while making a contribution on Wednesday to the EPP-DE Study Days in Vienna. On the eve of this European Council, Sanader portrayed Croatia as the guarantor of stability in the Balkans, in defence of his country's accession to the EU.
In a hearing that was totally in support of his goal, (EUROPE 25 March p 7 on this theme), Sanader explained how he wanted Croatia to join at the same time as Romania and Bulgaria in 2007. This is why the Croatian prime minister hopes that the European Commission will give it a positive opinion for its candidacy in April and that the European council will decide in June on an exact time table for accession negotiations to enable it "catch up with Romania and Bulgaria". A positive decision for Croatia will "also motivate our neighbours" in the Balkans, declared the Croat prime minister for whom his country "has to be a bridge between the EU at 25 and the Balkans". Sanader added that by accepting Croatia, instability in the area would be reduced. He concluded that everyone present at the event agreed with his interpretation of things.