Jandroković: Croatia attaches importance to EU membership prospects of its neighbours

Zagreb - The Croatian Parliament will emphasize through its activities the priorities of the Croatian presidency of the European Union and special emphasis will be placed on the membership prospects of Western Balkan countries that wish to join the EU, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković said on Thursday.

Jandroković was attending a conference of European Parliament presidents in Zagreb, which also involved European Parliament President David Sassoli and the chairs of political groups in the European Parliament.

"What is important to us is to emphasize through the parliamentary dimension the priorities of the Croatian presidency - a Europe that develops and connects, that cares about security and that is influential in the world. But of particular importance to us are the membership prospects of our neighbours that aspire to become EU members," Jandrokovic told the press ahead of a meeting with Sassoli and representatives of the political groups in the European Parliament.

He expressed hope that the Western Balkans summit, which will be held in Zagreb in May, would send positive messages to all the countries aspiring to join the EU.  "We on our part as Parliament will try to give an added value to it," he said.

Sassoli and the leaders of all political groups in the European Parliament were on an official visit to Zagreb on Thursday to discuss with the Croatian leadership the priorities of the Croatian presidency of the EU in the first half of next year.

Author: Hina