Potential for reforms on the path to the European Union (EU) is enormous and that should be the greatest inspiration to join the EU, Croatian Deputy Prime Minister for Home, Foreign and European Affairs Neven Mimica said in Sarajevo on Friday, underscoring that reforms on the way to the EU have made Croatia a better country.
Mimica was attending the 7th annual conference of parliamentary commissions for European integration of the States Participating in the Stabilization and Association Process in South East Europe (COSAP).
Speaking at the conference, Mimica explained Croatia's EU integration process. "Croatia's accession to the EU is a confirmation of all that has been done to reform and change the country", he said.
He recalled that during the war in the former Yugoslavia, the EU did not have the right answers to resolve that crisis but after that it managed to create stabilisation and European prospects policies, and Croatia's accession to the EU is proof that these policies are functioning, he said. He added that Croatia could serve as an example for neighbouring countries to follow and in that way create a better life for their citizens.
Mimica mentioned three important lessons Croatia has learned: membership to the EU brings political stability within the country itself with regard to respect for democratic political processes, it sets up sustainable economic competitiveness of EU Member States and strengthens internal democratic order, including the rule of law and legislation.
"We can safely say that the accession process is more important than actual accession", Mimica said. He added that July 1 does not mean the end of reforms and transformation of society and people. Drawing closer to the European Union means that Croatia is drawing closer to other countries in the region, not distancing itself.
"We have realised that we and the Balkans are Europe", Mimica said, concluding that European integration was a process for all countries in the region.
(Hina)
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