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“We look forward to welcoming as the new EU member state”, said Merkel following a meeting with Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor. There had been many obstacles to overcome.

Other countries also have prospects of becoming EU members

Photo: REGIERUNGonline/Bergmann Looking forward to the new EU member Croatia

“We look forward to welcoming  as the new EU member state”, said Merkel following a meeting with Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor. There had been many obstacles to overcome.

Other countries also have prospects of becoming EU members

"We want to give every country in the Western Balkans a chance”, stressed Merkel. Yet all of the accession criteria for the European Union would still need to be fulfilled, as experienced by .

20 years after the country’s independence and a few weeks after the EU accession negotiations, primarily questions concerning the country’s European policy and economic cooperation were discussed.

It was the Chancellor’s second visit to since taking up office.

The President of Croatia, Ivo Josipović, thanked the Chancellor for ’s support during ’s journey towards EU membership.

Following the conclusion of negotiations,  has entered the home stretch in its endeavours towards accession into the EU. This should take place in 2013, after a referendum in  and the ratification of the Treaty of Accession in the current EU member states.  is supporting  on the way to the country’s EU membership. In specific projects  promotes training and continued education and makes a contribution to the modernisation of the Croatian administration. In addition, the judicial system is being modernised with German support. The Federal Government also supports the reforms which are still necessary, as well as the fight against corruption and organised crime.  is ’s second most important trade partner and plays an important role in the country’s economy.

Strengthening of economic ties

Merkel praised the Croatian efforts to emerge from the economic crisis. She also particularly highlighted the German interest in close economic ties. German partners willing to invest were available, according to the Chancellor.

Prior to her visit, the Chancellor made note of the previous conflicts in the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Croatia is the second country in the region to have qualified for membership in the European Union following . The Chancellor considered this to be a great success for the country. The European Council offered prospects of EU membership to every country in the former in in 2003. Bringing these countries closer to the EU is a task that still needs to be worked on.

At her next station of her trip the Chancellor is holding talks in the Serbian capital of Belgrade .