Croatia's president on Wednesday said his country is determined to join the European Union.  "Croatia is determined to become the 28th member of the European Union," Stjepan Mesić said following a meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.  Barroso noted that much remained to be done by Croatia, particularly in the fields of minority rights, a simmering border dispute with EU member Slovenia and in reforming the economy.  "I cannot commit the Commission on a date" for Croatia's accession," Barroso said. "It depends on the work done by Croatia."

Croatia is next in line after Romania and Bulgaria to join the EU. But some have suggested that its candidacy, together with those of other Balkan nations and Turkey, be put on hold. "Any slowdown of enlargement would be equal to questioning the entire (European unification) project," Mesić said.

Mesić also is meeting with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in a bid to expedite Croatia's candidacy for membership in the military alliance.

 

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Source: AP