Croatia's central ceremony in Zagreb on 30 June on the occasion of the country's admission to the European Union will be attended by dozens of heads of state or government and other foreign officials, the head of the working group tasked with organising the ceremony said in Zagreb on Friday.
So far, the arrival of 16 presidents, three parliament speakers, 15 prime ministers, 10 deputy prime ministers and 11 foreign ministers has been confirmed. The number of guests has risen to about 120, said Tomislav Saucha.
As for the European Union, it has been confirmed that European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Parliament President Martin Schulz and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will come to the ceremony in Zagreb's main square.
As for EU members, Zagreb can expect the arrival of the presidents of Romania, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia, the chancellors of Austria and Germany as well as the prime ministers of Poland, Latvia, Hungary, Belgium, Slovakia and Malta.
With regard to Croatia's southeastern neighbours, they will be represented at the levels of head of state or government or foreign minister.
Saucha said that Presidents Tomislav Nikolic of Serbia and Atifete Jahjaga of Kosovo have confirmed their attendance.
Asked by reporters whether the Serbian president's arrival could be deemed definite in light of the fact that he made his attendance conditional on the non-invitaiton of Kosovo's top officials, Saucha said "a registration form for him (Nikolic) has been filled out. We regard it as an official confirmation and we are looking forward to all who will come."
The Pope's special envoy Giovanni Lajolo, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker and Canadian Labour Minister Lisa Raitt are also expected at the ceremony.
