By Martin Banks - 4th March 2010
We are entering the final stage
Ivo Josipovic
New Croatian president Ivo Josipovic says his country is "entering the final stage" on the road to EU membership.
But, speaking at a news conference in parliament on Thursday, he conceded that Croatia still has to meet strict conditions before it is ready to join.
He said, "We are entering the final stage but it is clear we still have conditions to fulfil. We are well aware of this."
Croatia has, so far, closed 17 negotiating "chapters" as part of its accession bid with another 16 yet to be closed.
Josipovic, who chose Brussels for his first overseas visit since his election last month, was speaking after a meeting with parliament president Jerzy Buzek.
The Croatian said the fight against corruption is one "task" facing both the EU and his own country.
He added, "We are also aware of the necessity for good relations with our Balkan neighbours and this was one of the things I discussed.
"We are optimistic about the prospects for accession – all the political forces in the country are united on this – and I hope Croatia will soon be an EU member."
Speaking alongside Josipovic, Buzek said he was "delighted" he had chosen Brussels for his first foreign visit.
"As far as membership is concerned, I believe the glass is half full rather than half empty where Croatia is concerned," said the Polish deputy.
"It is in a good position and Croatia is a key country in the western Balkans."
Buzek said the two men had discussed several issues related to the EU bid, including the "necessity" for reforms which still had to be completed.
The new president takes over from popular centrist Stipe Mesic, 75, who had held the post since 2000 and managed to turn the country into an outward-facing parliamentary democracy.
The fight against corruption, especially at the highest levels, is one of the key criteria for Croatia to become an EU member by 2012.
Of the six former Yugoslav republics – Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia – only the latter has joined the EU.
Josipovic will meet EU president Herman Van Rompuy and commission president José Manuel Barroso in Brussels on Friday.
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