European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said at a meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic in Brussels on Monday he hoped that the ratification of Croatia's accession treaty with the European Union would pass smoothly in member countries so that Croatia could join the EU next year.
"I look forward to a smooth ratification process by the Croatian Parliament as well as by all EU Member States, so that Croatia can become the Union's 28th member on 1 July 2013," Van Rompuy said according to a statement released by his office after the meeting.
He congratulated Milanovic on the successful outcome of the accession referendum and the Croatian citizens on their democratic decision to join the EU.
"Furthermore, I encouraged Croatia to continue on the positive path of reforms in order to reap the benefits of economic and political integration. The areas of Judiciary and Fundamental Rights; Justice, Freedom and Security; and Competition Policy remain of key interest to the EU before accession."
Van Rompuy voiced hope that "Croatia's success will inspire neighbouring countries to progress with reforms in order to realise their European perspective. Croatia will continue to play an important role in fostering good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans."
This afternoon, Milanovic will attend his first meeting of EU member countries' leaders, meet with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Parliament President Martin Schulz, and attend a meeting of the Party of European Socialists. He is also scheduled to visit the Croatian mission to the EU.
