Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Gordan Jandrokovic said in Zagreb on Monday he expected Croatia to wrap up 2010 with 28 closed negotiation chapters and that its EU entry talks would finish during Hungary's EU presidency, namely in the first half of 2011.
This year we made critical progress when it comes to the EU and I hope that we will close three other chapters in two days so that we can wrap up 2010 with 28 chapters closed. This means that in 2011 we will be left with the final part and Croatia will achieve one of the greatest success in its foreign policy - full membership of the EU, Jandrokovic told reporters after a Christmas reception given by Croatian President Ivo Josipovic.
Jandrokovic is confident that Croatia will manage to resolve all issues concerning the negotiations, including those pertaining to Chapter 23, "Judiciary and Fundamental Rights".
"These issues are very demanding because not only do criteria need to be met and laws adopted, but I dare say that we need to change our mind-set. I am confident that Croatia has enough strength to do that," Jandrokovic said.
Jandrokovic, who is also at the helm of a state committee organising a visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Croatia scheduled for June 2011, said the visit carried great importance, both religious and political.
