The first item on the agenda is a discussion on the accession treaty in respect of the Republic of Croatia and its subsequent ratification. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome the delegation from the European Integration Committee of the Croatian Parliament which is led by Mr. Neven Mimica, Deputy Speaker and chairman of the committee. He is accompanied by committee members Mrs. Marija Pejcinovic Buric and Ms Tanja Vrbat; the secretary to the committee Mr. Denis Cajo, and the adviser to the Deputy Speaker, Ms Vesna Loncaric. I also welcome Ambassador Jasna Ognjanovac. I ask Mr. Minica to make his opening remarks which will be followed by questions.
Accession of Croatia to European Union: Discussion
Mr. Neven Mimica
I thank the Chairman and his colleagues. This is a great opportunity for us to appear before the joint committee to discuss and exchange views on the accession of Croatia to the European Union and the steps that it must take to become a fully fledged member of the European Union. As members will know, it completed the accession negotiations in late June and now preparations are under way to get the consent of the European Parliament to sign the treaty and organise the signing ceremony sometime in early December. Having the accession treaty signed is not the end of the story, however, it is really just the beginning of the real participation of Croatia in the European Union. We see the need to take on board all of the reforms we have been working on during the past ten or 11 years. We started the process in the year 2000.
Croatia will be the next member of the European Union, which is good news for the people of Croatia, as it is seen as confirmation of the good processes Croatia's Government has conducted during the past ten years. It is also good news for the European Union because it means the enlargement process is still alive and that EU policy on the region of south-east Europe is valid and could bring stability to other countries in the region. This is good news for other countries in the region because this is recognition that the process of moving closer to EU membership is rewarding for them and their neighbours and the European Union.
We are aware of the difficulties and harsh reforms we had to undertake during the process of harmonisation with the European Union acquis. We are aware that the process of transition might come to an end once the country joins the European Union, but the process is not yet finished. We must continue along this path; the transformation of institutions and the political environment has already been done, and what is required is social transformation, changing the mindset of people and their way of doing things. This is a process that will last for the first decade of our membership of the European Union.
In front of us are three areas of activities in the period between the signing of the treaty and concluding the ratification process - the period from December 2011 to 1 July 2013. In the next year and a half we shall have to provide enough proof for our European partners that we are making real progress in meeting European Union standards in Croatia. We hope the progress report will confirm that Croatia has met the commitments required of accession countries.
Our next task is to continue the process of harmonisation of our legislation, have the laws that need to be passed enacted in order to meet the terms of the acquis communautaire of the European Union. The third task is to monitor the annexe to the accession treaty which requires Croatia to fully meet the commitments made during the negotiations, especially in the areas of justice and fundamental rights.
The regular elections will be held in early December, which means that Parliament must work for the next five weeks before being dissolved. Whichever government will take over after the elections, the monitoring procedures and our participation in the monitoring process will be the same. The position of all parliamentary political parties in Croatia is the same as we reached a consensus in 2005, one of two occasions on which we managed to reach political consensus. The first time consensus was reached was in the early 1990s on the independence of the country; on the second occasion consensus was reached on European processes and the future of the country. We expect this political understanding among the political parties to be translated into public acceptance and support for membership of the European Union because we will hold a referendum on EU membership as the first step of the ratification process in Croatia's Parliament. It is a constitutional requirement that we hold a referendum. Communicating the benefits of membership of the Europan Union has been under way for some time. We need to enable Croatia's citizens to obtain full information on the cost and benefits of membership in order to enable them to reach an informed decision before they vote in the referendum early next year. The Croatian ratification process will start with a referendum, then we shall ratify the agreement in the Croatian Parliament, hopefully following the referendum resulting in a positive outcome, and then the members states will start to ratify the agreement in the period from early next year to mid-2013. We hope there will be no political obstacles to delay the ratification process. Procedural requirement will determine the procedure in each national parliament but we are confident that the Irish Presidency of the EU in the first half of 2013 will mark the last ratifications of the agreement by the member states and that it will wrap up the ratification process of all member states to enable Croatia to become a member of the Union on 1 July 2013, the day after the Irish Presidency ceases.
I acknowledge the bilateral and constructive support Ireland has granted to the process of Croatia's accession to the European Union. By coming closer to the European Union, Croatia is also coming closer to Ireland. We have a number of reasons to be close partners among other partners in the EU membership, including the comparative size of our countries and the fact that we shall have the same number of seats - 12 - in the European Parliament and the same the same voting power - seven - in the Council as Ireland. It is also the clear intention of Ireland, through its Irish foreign and European policy, to be proactive in the European Union and to take many initiatives in many areas of EU policies. Croatia, as a new member state, would like to be a similar kind of member state and not only wait and accept whatever might be proposed by the larger, long-established and more influential members of the European Union but be a more constructive member by putting forward a number of initiatives. We can work together along these lines once Croatia is member of the Union.
Croatia is very interested in how to structure its internal institutional practice when it comes to scrutinising EU activities of the government in the parliament and how to arrange these relationships between the government and the parliament. One of the first tasks for the new government and parliament will be to propose and adopt a new law on the relationship between the government and parliament in EU affairs. It seems that the activities of this committee and its tasks and competencies could be easily implemented in Croatia. We are very interested in having similar exercises and occasions like this one during our membership of the European Union.
The last point I would like to mention is the fact that the Croatian accession treaty would be a legal carrier for annexes, protocols and guarantees similar to those secured by Ireland in terms of its membership, and these will accompany our accession treaty in the ratification procedure in the member states. We are very interested in having included in our accession treaty the protocol secured by Ireland in terms of the second Lisbon treaty referendum on the three important issues of family affairs, fiscal regulations and military and security issues and having them more related to the national policy framework than to the EU common policy framework. We would also like to see how a fourth issue will be defined in the EU regulations, that of a request that each member state would have one Commissioner in the years to come.
All these elements bring us, meaning our two countries, Parliaments and committees, closer together than was the case when we were far removed from membership of the European Union. We look forward to co-operating with Ireland and to meeting the members on as many occasions as possible to forge European partnership ties among the overall partnership of all member states.
I thank Mr. Mimica for his remarks. Ireland has supported the Croatian application from the beginning because of our ties with Croatia, the comparative size of our countries, as Mr. Mimica mentioned, and the fact that many of our people go to Croatia on holidays and would know a good deal about the country now compared with what would have been the position many years ago. We have seen Croatia's application for membership of the Union as the beginning of the provision of stability in the western Balkans. The impetus that its membership of the Union would give would be a prelude to negotiations with the other countries and would provide a big boost for stability in the western Balkans, an area where there have been considerable difficulties.
We also have another particular interest in this matter because we have guarantees that we want to see transferred into protocols. The only point about which we are deeply aggrieved is that it will not be happening on our watch. It will happen on 1 July, the day after we cease to have Presidency of the EU in the first half of 2013.
The procedure for our ratification of Croatia's membership is that a motion would go to our Parliament, it would probably be referred to this committee for debate and deliberation, and then we would proceed with the ratification, through legislation, through our Parliament. We would like to be the first country to have all that dealt with. Croatia will have to have its own elections and referendum. Mr. Mimica might elaborate on that. What will be the timescale for the elections and the referendum on the treaty and when does he expect it to be open for ratification by the member states? I will now open the discussion to our members.
On behalf of the Labour Party, I welcome the delegation with responsibility for European integration from the Croatian Parliament. I warmly welcome them to Ireland. I hope they enjoy their stay in our country of great beauty, if not greater than that of their own country. It is in that spirit we look forward to their participation and to supporting their full application in their endeavours for full integration. Unlike the Chairperson, I am more optimistic in that I hope our Presidency will be a very positive function in assisting the smooth transfer of that full integration. I heard many warm words in Mr. Mimica's presentation. I identify with the optimism, enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to the prospects of full integration into the European project. We need Croatia in the European Union. Our countries are of comparable size and, as Mr. Mimica described, we have many issues in common based on the counterbalance that is required from the positives that countries and nations of our size can bring to the European model. I welcome the language used by Mr. Mimica. I welcome Mr. Mimica's report, particularly regarding the consensus politics domestically which have brought the country to the juncture where treaties do not become divisive vehicles for a sub-debate on issues not relevant to the primary objective of European integration.
I welcome the fact that Mr. Mimica looks forward to our two countries becoming closer. There are many positive elements that we can examine domestically. We hope to develop very strong trade links, particularly in tourism. While the Chairman has mentioned that many Irish people travel to Croatia to enjoy the beautiful scenery, the people and their customs, we hope Croatians will reciprocate strongly and enjoy visiting the most beautiful country in western Europe. I urge them to fly over the United Kingdom and visit this country, as we have much in common in terms of our history, culture and heritage.
I agree with the Chairman that it is sad that accession will occur at the close of the Irish EU Presidency, but we will support Mr. Mimica's endeavours and it will be an honour to do so. We look forward to welcoming the accession of a fine country with very good people. It is nearly as good as ours, but it will get there. It was fantastic to hear Mr. Mimica's presentation.
Mr. Mimica and his excellent delegation are very welcome to Ireland. We are delighted to have them here. The years have passed quickly since the many discussions this committee had about the Croatian application to join the European Union and its approval. It is now joining the big club, a club that is bigger and better than the one it was in at one time. I am sure Croatia was glad to get out of it.
I had the pleasure of visiting Zagreb when I holidayed in Croatia. The country, undoubtedly, has tremendous potential. I travelled through Italy and hope Slovenians are not as slow as they were when I passed through the border on that occasion. They were most unhelpful. I flew to northern Italy with Ryanair and travelled to Croatia. I hope that area will be improved because it does not help tourism. I reminded them of their obligations to the European Union. I am delighted the countries resolved the dispute, as it was complicated and delayed the negotiations.
I hope there will be a great link between Ireland and Croatia in terms of tourism. It is an area on which we can build. As I have no report with me on direct access, I cannot say whether there are direct flights to Zagreb. If there is none, there should be.
There are flights to Dubrovnik but not Zagreb.
Dubrovnik is a beautiful city. It was early after Croatia had obtained independence when we went there on holidays. The country has great potential.
Mr. Mimica is very welcome and we will co-operate fully with him. Well done to Croatia on its persistence in going through all the detailed negotiations. The years have passed quickly and I look forward to this country ratifying the treaty. Ireland will hold the Presidency when Croatia's membership is ratified and I hope a close relationship is built between our two countries. I hope also the delegation will enjoy its stay in Dublin.
I welcome the delegation and assure Croatia of our support of its prompt accession to the European Union. I note the remarkable progress made and the courage the state displayed in developing relationships with many of its neighbouring countries. It is covered in some of the briefing notes we received, but I am aware of the courage Croatia displayed in building and rebuilding relationships with states such as Montenegro and Serbia. I am sure it was not always easy, but I am delighted with the progress made. I hope the application and the work done to join the European Union played a positive role in developing that impetus.
I am anxious to get Mr. Mimica's perspective on one question. As he is probably only too keenly aware, the European Union is in the throes of grappling with the financial crisis. Many citizens within the European Union are questioning the wisdom of EU institutions and the restraints they impose. I am not one of them, but there are many. Given that Croatia is seeking to join these institutions, what is the view of its citizens on how we are grappling with the financial crisis? Has this influenced the discussions that have taken place on Croatia attaining full membership of the European Union in 2013?
We are happy that the accession application is moving forward and that progress is being made. We strongly support it.
There are many links between our two countries. The one cited by the Chairman, tourism, has become very important. Croatia's tourism market in this country has become very strong; I regularly meet people who have returned from holidays in Croatia which is a very beautiful country.
There are significant cultural links between our two countries. They were reflected in the fact that Irish writers were the feature in Croatia's national short story competition in 2009 and in Ireland's participation in the Zagreb Film Festival. These cultural and tourism links are vital. We should try to develop them both ways.
Agriculture is important in Croatia. What reforms does Mr. Mimica envisage in the Common Agricultural Policy in 2013? I realise some of these reforms will precede Croatia's accession, as they will be on the agenda early in 2013, but the process might not be concluded by the time of its accession. Does Mr. Mimica agree that there are common interests between Ireland and Croatia in that both have a large number of small farmers who are not involved in major commercial farming and need direct supports to maintain production and the family farm unit? Is that his perception as we start the negotiations? There is a community of interests between our two countries in that sector.
Mr. Mimica will be aware that it is alleged throughout Europe that our taxation system, specifically the corporation tax rate, is in some way discriminatory against other countries in that it favours Ireland exclusively. While it is an attractive option for external investors in this country, we contend that if a proper study was carried out of the other European taxation systems, particularly the French system, it would show that they are no different in real or net terms. Will Mr. Mimica comment on the degree to which he accepts that countries will have to retain domestic control of taxation in the national interest of each country, while obviously subscribing to overall fiscal objectives and keeping the euro sufficiently strong? Does he agree that we cannot compromise domestic government to the degree that it cannot pursue national objectives, economically and socially, or local parliaments will become virtually irrelevant? The corporation tax rate and domestic control of taxation are important considerations in Ireland. I look forward, therefore, to Mr. Mimica's response on that issue. Agriculture is also important in Ireland. There is a community of interests, given the similarity of agricultural interests. We have a mutual interest in direct payments in support of keeping family farms in existence. In addition, as I said, tourism is critical. There is tremendous potential to develop tourism links in both directions.
I am delighted to welcome Mr. Mimica and look forward to his response.
I welcome our friends from Croatia and congratulate them on their progress to date. It is great to see them here. We have had occasion in the past, both privately and officially, to visit their country and it is always a good and interesting place to visit. The points made by other speakers are very important.
In so far as the European Union is concerned, it is not only about what the Union has to bring to one's country but about what one's country has to bring to the Union. It is very important that every member state and those applying to join through the accession process are recognised as having something extra to add. Croatians do not have to get permission from anyone to become Europeans. They are Europeans, just as we are. It is very important that each member state recognises the equality of people living on the Continent of Europe and of anyone else living on the fringes who wishes to apply to join, although that is a different situation. We are equal. It is very important, in particular at present, that no country feels in any way inferior as it makes its application for accession. We are all as good as each other.
The European Union is not without some faults itself and a crisis has appeared recently on the horizon. Perhaps it was not foreseen and should have been, but some of us spoke about the things that might happen, or were capable of happening, before they happened, which is an interesting point. The rules and regulations laid down in the Stability and Growth Pact and in other areas for many structures did not function as they were supposed to. Let us not forget the European Central Bank is made up of an amalgam of banking interests from across Europe. There is no reason it should not have functioned in accordance with prudence, good practice and good governance because if it had, we would not have a situation. Some countries have departed from what was good practice, for whatever reason, perhaps political or foolish or perhaps because of naivety. Lessons should have been learned that departure from a structured, cohesive and united approach is dangerous.
Every country has something to contribute. We would like to think we contributed something and we believe we have a lot more to contribute. We also believe Croatia has contributed and that it has a lot more to contribute as time goes by. It is our ambition to do everything possible to assist it in a meaningful and positive way. If there is a legacy to be handed over in 50 years time to whoever is around, it should be at least as good as the legacy we inherited when the European Union was in its infancy.
I welcome the delegation and, like others, I applaud Croatia's tenacity in sticking with the journey to become a full member of the European Union. I met Ms Vesna Loncaric previously. A number of years ago I attended a conference in Zagreb on literacy and education and I have visited the country socially on a number times. I was really impressed at how quickly Croatians rebuilt their country after the war, in particular the fine road between Zagreb and Dubrovnik and how they cut it through the mountains. I said to myself there must not be the compulsory purchase order difficulties in Croatia which we have in Ireland in acquiring land for major infrastructure. On another occasion I was there, I had a really bad accident, so I would have liked if Croatia had been a member of the European Union because it would have made things much easier.
My question is similar to that asked by Deputy Paschal Donohoe. How is the EU crisis affecting Croatia? Given the extent of the crisis across Europe, how do citizens feel about joining the Union at this point, when it is in a state of flux and uncertainty and probably encountering its biggest test ever? The delegates said elections were coming up. How do they believe they will play out? I look froward to hearing their responses.
I extend a very warm welcome to the delegates. It is great to have them here. I know they have been in consultation with our committee on many occasions through COSAC and by way of bilateral discussions. I recognise the very difficult road down which Croatia has come in terms of closing all the chapters. It has not been easy for it and it has had some border issues. We, in this country, are very familiar with those kinds of issues and we recognise the difficulties. Others looking in from outside seem to suggest things should have been done more easily and more quickly. We recognise the path down which Croatia has come and congratulate it.
Croatia has also made very bold moves in regard to some of its indigenous enterprises and industry, in particular in the area of ship building. That was not an easy road for it and it will have impacted on its employment levels in a very real way. It has made significant sacrifices and has overcome many challenges in reaching this point, which must be recognised. It is certainly recognised by us.
When Croatia started the process, the bounty looked an awful lot better. Full European Union membership probably would have had, or the perception was that it had, greater benefits when Croatia first began the accession process. That country now faces the challenges with us. By becoming a full member, Croatia will assist all of us in dealing with the challenges in a collective way. It would be sad to suggest that because the European Union faces serious challenges these days, somehow that would be, or could be seen as, a disincentive to other members of the broader European family to continuing down the path down which Croatia has gone. I hope that does not happen. Croatia's enthusiasm for full membership should be a beacon or a light for others that being part of the European Union is worthwhile and that we will overcome whatever impasse or challenges we face collectively. It will be a stronger Union with Croatia on board.
I wish the delegates well in the rest of their visit. They will find it fruitful and we will benefit from Croatia being a full member of the European Union.
I welcome the delegation. I am delighted both by their presence and by the progress made over recent years in Croatia becoming a member of the European Union. As a former Member of the European Parliament, I always found Members from eastern European countries extremely supportive any time I had an issue to raise. I had the privilege of sitting alongside the current President of European Parliament in Brussels for two years and he was extremely helpful at all times. The one thing I found in Brussels was that people from eastern Europe were so enthusiastic about working together and making Europe a better place. We have made substantial progress over 50 years but especially over the past 20. Croatia's accession is another block in building that important building - the European Union.
An effective way to cement relations between countries, and I was involved in this when I was mayor of my city, is to establish relations between universities, for instance, Shanghai in China. Has any progress been made or has this issue been thought about? Young people are interested in learning about young people in other countries. Have ideas of that nature been worked out in terms of getting them up and running before full membership is attained? It would be an effective way of increasing the level of trade and contact between countries.
We are dealing with our own difficulties with unemployment, especially among young people. Ireland's unemployment rate is approximately 14% compared with 18% in Croatia. I presume a large number of young people are also affected by unemployment in Croatia. How can we work together in dealing with this issue?
Croatia has a lot of good things going for it, including its tourism industry and the spin-offs it generates in food and wine. There are also benefits from our point of view because we will be able to enter a new market. How can we progress the links we have established as well as generate further engagement between Croatian and Irish businesses?
While we may sometimes be intimidated by the bigger countries in Europe, we have a lot in common with Croatia in terms of size. The smaller countries are going to be a powerful bloc in Europe and we can be effective in dictating the direction Europe takes over the next 15 years.
It is clear that members are unanimously in favour of Croatia's entry into the European Union. It is difficult to achieve unanimity around this table but we have been successful on this occasion.
Mr. Neven Mimica
I thank members for their clear and unanimous support, encouragement and understanding of Croatia's past and its future in the European Union. This will be precious to us and we hope to build our future relations on the support that has been visible throughout the accession process, and which will have to be developed further now that it is coming to an end. Members raised issues which I would like to address. I invite my colleagues to join me in setting out an insider's view of Croatia's position, problems and future activities in the Union.
One of the questions asked was how to deal with the crisis in the context of a country that is about to join the European Union and must explain to the public the costs and benefits of membership. The financial and economic crisis has been visible in Croatia since 2008, but perhaps the situation was the reverse of Ireland's. Our financial sector never suffered a serious negative impact, perhaps because of the prudent actions of our central bank prior to the crisis. While stability has been maintained in the banking sector thus far, the real sector of the economy is getting weaker in terms of exports, manufacturing output and employment. The elements that greatly concern people in Croatia are lower export rates and higher unemployment, which was in single digits before the crisis but now stands at 15%. The improvements we have witnessed in our major trading markets in Germany, Italy and Austria have not translated into higher Croatian exports. We are aware that there may be another recession if the financial or eurozone crisis turns into a market crisis.
It is not an easy task to advocate the true substance and meaning of the European Union to the public in this negative atmosphere. However, we expect the European Union will be able to overcome the current crisis which will give us more room to explain the benefits of membership in advance of the referendum next January or February. We are trying to explain to the people that the countries most affected by the crisis, namely, Greece, Portugal and Ireland, found it easier to cope thanks to the synergies offered by the combined efforts of the European Union and their national governments. This is especially visible in Ireland, and perhaps this country offers a good example of how to deal with a crisis by means of responsible governmental policies on dismantling the core problems, coupled with input from the European Union framework.
Members asked several questions about Croatia's position on the Common Agricultural Policy and taxation. Croatia is relatively new as an independent country and the question of national sovereignty is high on the agenda of every citizen. EU membership is seen through the lens of how much it will influence national sovereignty. We have identified some of the priority areas in which we want our national interests to be debated and agreed at EU level. Retaining national governments' control over taxation and fiscal policy is among the policies we would like to keep within the European Union. It is logical that the Common Market and single currency require more unity in fiscal and social policy, but Europe has a long history of nation states, national governments and national economic policies. It is in our interest to maintain control over our taxation policies and we will not be easily persuaded by those countries which favour a complete European taxation policy.
The same goes for the agricultural policy. There are some specificities in Croatia's agriculture which are very similar to Irish specificities. We have small farms, averaging approximately 3 ha. We know why the Common Agricultural Policy and especially the direct payments structure favours the single farm payments, which in the end might be in the interest of our small farmers, but not, I would say, in the long run. In a new discussion on the Common Agricultural Policy we believe we need to find a way to balance single farm payments with more incentives for those small farms that are increasing their production and yield in a market. We would like to keep the small farms and make them more productive and profitable. That is what the European common policy should support. In one way or another we can sit together and work out how to make this general approach more concrete when it comes to debating the Common Agricultural Policy in the future.
I will say a few words on tourism. I already said that the major negative impact of the crisis was in the real sector of the economy - in our manufacturing industry - but not in tourism. Fortunately tourism is growing and is part of the added value Croatia could bring to the European Union. One part of our added value relates to the political scene in the neighbourhood - in the Balkans and the south east of Europe. We can be one of the members of the European Union which could upgrade the European Union's participation in and contribution to the stability of the region. Our experience in this area is significant. We cannot be a global player in foreign policy or even a regional player, but we can be a global partner in the region for other countries in the region and this could represent part of our additional added value to the European Common Foreign and Security Policy for the region.
Croatia's second added value to the European Union could be in tourism, bringing the new shores of the Adriatic Sea and its hinterland to European tourism in a manner that would upgrade the overall tourist industry by having Croatia as a new European offer.
There may be some issues on the timetable for the referendum that Mrs. Marija Pejcinovic Buric might wish to address.
Mrs. Marija Pejcinovic Buric
The deputy speaker has covered most of the questions. One could elaborate on that because they are very important and pertinent questions. Before answering questions on elections versus referendum, I would like mention the cultural part of our co-operation. Someone asked whether these ties could help to bring together our peoples and people in Europe. I believe culture is the most direct way; there is no need for translation with cultural events. Our ambassador prepared and is preparing some of the events here. A colleague of ours, Mr. Cicin-Šain, who unfortunately passed away, was the first ambassador to Ireland. There is a Cicin-Šain lecture that promotes Irish-Croatian relations. We are already very good friends and we really feel like friends when we are here. I call upon all those who can contribute to work more on culture because this is a direct way to the heart of people.
We are approaching elections and tomorrow sees the start of the last session of our parliament for four weeks and elections will probably take place early in December. The timetable for signing the agreement is happening more or less at the same time also in early December. According to the present legislation we should hold the referendum, which is obligatory, within 30 days of the signature. In a way the election time and the referendum time are decoupled, but they are very close. Fortunately enough in Croatia, as the deputy speaker mentioned, we have consensus on Croatia acceding to the European Union so we do not expect any major problem at least among the big political parties in that respect. However, as there are issues, some relating to sovereignty and others relating to the crisis in Europe, we certainly should not take for granted that it will be passed. We are already working and shall be working even more in the future.
We are very positive because the polls have been quite steady in recent months - it is approximately 50% in favour. The majority of the population supports this. However, it drops tremendously when something happens, so we cannot predict what will happen in the future. In the event of some accidents, it may affect it significantly. We started in 2000 with the support of 78%, which remained high for a while. Then when Croatia did not open negotiations in March 2005 when it was due to happen, it dropped to 30%. One single event can cause major damage. We are very cautious in explaining the costs and benefits. Of course we are taking advantage of some of the experiences countries such as Ireland had in the past. Our colleagues have been here in the past studying what the Irish have done, inspiring our referendum campaign on some of the good experiences Ireland had in the past. We hope that will work well.
The agenda of our last session contains a declaration on European values in south-east Europe. This is how our parliament will contribute to overcoming possible problems with neighbours. We believe it is very much in our national interest to have all the countries of south east Europe in the European Union. We want the parliamentary declaration to support this position. The major parties - almost all the parties - in the present parliament support this view.
Ms Tanja Vrbat
As has been said already today, we are bringing several important things to the European Union, one of which is stability in the wider region of the western Balkans. We aim to be a brick of stability in the new stability and security construction in the wider region. As Mrs. Pejcinovic Buric said, it is very much in our interest to have a fully democratic and stable region. We will assist our neighbours in building their institutions and share our experience with them. We are already working very hard to that end. We have provided them with a great deal of documentation, including translated versions of the European Union aquis. We are trying to be very comprehensive in our work in this regard. We have a common goal, namely, creating a stable environment.
As one of the members of the joint committee observed, our negotiations were lengthy. However, in Croatia we are of the view that this was required in order that we might change the mindset of the people and build our institutions. The negotiations took a long time, but they were short in the context of the lengthy future of Croatia as a full member of the European Union.
I thank Ms Vrbat. We can continue our discussions over lunch. I thank the ambassador and the other members of the delegation for coming before the committee. If we could give them any warning, it would be that they should not take the ratification of treaties for granted. Once there is a referendum of the people, anything can happen. We have experience of this in the context of the Nice and Lisbon treaty referendums. Ireland will be seeking to ratify the accession treaty as quickly as possible. When our country assumes the Presidency of the European Union, we will monitor the preparations for Croatia's final accession on 1 July 2013. We look forward to the time when the European Integration Committee of the Parliament of Croatia becomes, like this one, a full European Union affairs committee. We would be glad to provide any assistance, advice or consultation which might be required in that regard.
Mr. Neven Mimica
I thank the Chairman and members. This has been a most rewarding and encouraging experience for us. Our committees should continue together along the road of mutual co-operation.
I agree. We will discuss that matter further over lunch.
The joint committee adjourned at 1.15 p.m. until 11.30 a.m. on Thursday, 29 September 2011.