News Feature

Czech deputy PM reassures Croatia on EU talks

02 September 2008

Alexandr Vondra, the Czech Republic deputy prime minister, has reassured Croatia it intends to move its European Union (EU) membership talks forward during its presidency, it has been reported.

The Commission, the executive arm of the EU, had already declared it hopes to give the country a roadmap for accession negotiations by November, according to Forbes.

With this in place the process could be completed by November the following year, although Croatia is looking to 2010 or 2011.

Mr Vondra told a news conference: "We expect to move to the final stage [in] talks with at least Croatia [during the Czech presidency]."

Earlier this summer, Czech Republic prime minister Mirek Topolanek told balkaninsight.com issues surrounding the Lisbon Treaty would not halt Croatia's claims to join the EU.

Stjepan Mesic, the Croatian president, also told Le Figaro the country will not be discouraged and will be ready to join the 27-nation body in 2009.

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