Croatian FM says WB countries that sincerely aspire for membership must have a European perspective

TIRANA, June 3 – The European journey of the Western Balkan countries should be high on the agenda of the Czech EU presidency.
This was one of the highlights of the meeting of Croatia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman with Jan Lipavský, the Czech foreign minister whose country will take over the EU presidency on 1 July, in Prague on Friday, according to Croatian media.
“All Western Balkan countries that sincerely aspire for membership must have a European perspective, but at the same time it is necessary to insist on meeting the criteria – rule of law, good neighbourly relations, and in the context of aggression against Ukraine, especially on foreign policy alignment with the Union,” said Grlić Radman.
He added that the EU has a responsibility to make additional political and diplomatic efforts to ensure a legal and legitimate election process in BiH through a reform of the election law which is something Zagreb insists on to prevent the more numerous Bosniaks from outvoting the Croats.
In the meantime Croatia and the Czech Republic once again condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and called for more intensive cooperation between the EU and transatlantic partners, especially in energy supplies disrupted by the war which has entered its 100th day.
“During the meeting, they talked about the war in Ukraine and the ministers once again condemned the Russian aggression and stressed that it is necessary to continue providing Ukraine with the necessary assistance,” the Croatian ministry said in a statement.
“They also discussed responses to challenges that require more intensive cooperation within the European Union and with transatlantic partners, especially when it comes to energy and food supply,” the press release added.
The two officials also marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Croatia and the Czech Republic, with Grlić Radman thanking the Czech Republic for its support in meeting Croatia’s strategic goals – joining the eurozone, the OECD and the Schengen Area. /Argumentum.al