"Croatia deserves to have its efforts rewarded by the conclusion of accession negotiations in June and is well on its way to becoming the EU's 28th Member State". This was the main message of the meeting of the Bureau of the EPP Group, the largest and most influencial political force in the European Parliament, at its closing press conference in Zagreb today.

The two-day meeting came at a crucial time for Croatia's EU path in the last months of the negotiation process and saw interventions from the Croatian Prime Minister, Jadranka Kosor, and Commissioner Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship.

In its interim report on the judiciary, the European Commission had positively assessed Croatian progress so far and outlined measures to undertake in order to attain the June target date.

The EPP Group Chairman, Joseph Daul, said: "Croatia was able to conclude negotiations in June because most of the work has already been done and there are a few hurdles ahead. The EPP Group will strongly support Croatia in these last steps of the EU negotiation process. EU parliamentarians from the EPP Group are looking forward to sitting side by side with our Croatian colleagues."

The meeting also highlighted the importance of the regional dimension of Croatian accession. MEPs heard from the Croatian Foreign Minister, Gordan Jandroković, who pledged Croatia's continued support for the European perspectives of its neighbours.

EPP Group Bureau meeting in Zagreb: towards the conclusion of Croatia's accession negotiations, 3-4 March 2011
Opening Session: Croatia: A new model of enlargement
Croatian EU Accession: Challenges and Expectations
Economic impact of EU accession
European Perspectives of South-East Europe

More information on the EPP Group Bureau Meeting in Zagreb

In Focus: Croatia: 28th Member State

For further information:
Lada Jurica, EPP Group Press & Communications Service, Tel: +32-476-330383