The European Parliament supports Croatia's European Union entry and European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek said he was confident Zagreb would wrap up its talks with Brussels in June, Croatian President Ivo Josipovic said in Florence on Monday, after talks with Buzek.
Josipovic is taking part in the Conference on the State of the Union, held in Florence. This evening he will be awarded the Premio Galileo 2000 – Special Prize for Peace.
"Together we expressed optimism that it was possible to wrap up the negotiations in June and it was reiterated that we have the support of the European Parliament. Of course, this depends on the criteria and I am confident that these criteria would be met completely," Josipovic said, adding that this was a very concrete form of support from the European Parliament.
This evening, Josipovic will be presented with Premio Galileo 2000, awards founded in 1996. He will be awarded for his contribution to the reconciliation process in the region and for advocating "the European vision of Southeast Europe, human rights and international justice."
"I always stress that this recognition is in fact the recognition to Croatia," Josipovic said.
European politicians in Florence on Monday are discussing the situation in the European Union after the Lisbon Treaty.
