Vondra: Europeans Need Croatian Florida

Presiding country of the EU expressed support in solving the border dispute, advocating deblocking of Croatia`s accession negotiations.

Czech Prime Minister in charge of European affairs Alexandr Vondra said he supports the initiative of EU expansion commissioner Olli Rehn for the solution of the border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia and the debloc of Croatia`s European Union accession negotiations.

Vondra said he entirely supports Olli Rehn`s proposition. The two politicians will meet on Wednesday, as Vondra will express support and discuss help provided by a group of experts under the leadership of Martti Athisaari. The Czech PM believes the European Union needs to do everything in its power to solve the problem.

I believe we need to do everything to solve this problem and that the accession process in continued and finalised. In general, I believe that Croatia is a country that belongs in the European Union and I spend time there every summer. Europeans need Croatian Florida – Vondra said.

Vondra also said that there is now “fatigue due to expansion” present in the European Union, however he expressed conviction that the expansion process will continue.

The Czech presidency invited EU expansion commissioner Olli Rehn to the meeting of the  Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER). Rehn is anticipated to notify membering countries of the progress of talks concerning his initiative for the solution of the Croatian-Slovene dispute with the help of a group of experts, headed by Ahtisaari.

Following the meeting, ambassadors of membering countries will exchange views on chief The Hague prosecutor Serge Brammertz on the co-operation with the ICTY and the countries under its jurisdiction.