Croatian and German Presidents Ivo Josipovic and Christian Wulff held talks in Berlin on Thursday, concluding that relations between the two countries were excellent and that Germany supported the reforms Croatia is undertaking as part of its European Union accession process.
Croatia and Germany are friends and partners in many areas in Europe and, when one considers our cooperation in Afghanistan, in the wider area as well, Wulff said after the talks, praising the reforms Croatia is implementing to create standards for EU entry.
Germany highly appreciates the big efforts Croatia is investing to draw closer to the EU. This huge commitment deserves full support and we wish Croatia a lot of success in those efforts and want this process be completed as soon as possible, said Wulff.
He also praised Josipovic's efforts towards reconciliation in the region, notably with Serbia, saying that Zagreb could rely on Germany's assistance in this process.
Wulff said the 200,000 Croats living in Germany contributed to the close ties between the two countries, adding they were the best integrated.
The 1.5 million German tourists visiting Croatia every year also contribute to the good ties, he added.
Josipovic thanked his host for the welcome and Germany's support to Croatia.
"We received support for our efforts on the road to the European Union as well as for our policy towards the countries in the region," Josipovic said, adding the talks with Wulff also addressed economic relations, with the conclusion that there was room for improving cooperation.
"Croatia is willing to cross this last leg of the road to the European Union as soon as possible. There are problems and Germany's assistance is especially valuable when it comes to strengthening economic criteria. I am leaving these talks confident that Germany will continue to fully support Croatia," said Josipovic.
Asked by the press to predict the pace of Croatia's EU entry talks, Wulff said the preparations in Croatia's case were speedy and thorough.
Some in Europe give precedence to speed rather than thoroughness, but we in Germany value thoroughness more than speed and I think the Croatian negotiations are speedy and thorough, he said.
Regarding public support for EU accession in Croatia, Josipovic voiced confidence that, despite some survey results, Croatian citizens would support the accession at a referendum.
After the talks with Wulff, Josipovic met Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit and is also expected to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Afterwards, he is scheduled to give a talk on the policy of reconciliation and Croatia's approach to the EU.
He will wrap up his three-day visit to Germany on Friday by going to Frankfurt and Mainz, where he is to attend a German-Croatian economic forum and meet representatives of Croatian emigrants.
