Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
128. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the recent engagements the Minister of State for European Affairs had on their recent visit to Croatia; if he will highlight the importance of engaging with Croatia as the newest member of the European Union from 1 July; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27783/13]
View answerMinister of State Creighton accompanied President Higgins on the State visit to Croatia last week. The programme for the visit included formal discussions with the President of Croatia, Mr. Ivo Josipovi, and Prime Minister Mr. Zoran Milanovi. In addition, Minister of State Creighton met informally with First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ms Vesna Pusi. The President’s visit comes on the eve of Croatia’s accession to the EU on 1 July 2013. It is fitting that the President’s first State Visit to what will soon be the EU’s newest Member State, comes during a Presidency that has focused on EU enlargement as a priority. Croatia will be the first of the Western Balkans countries to accede, and the second of the former Yugoslav republics (Slovenia being the first). Croatian accession will, it is hoped, be an inspiration for the other countries of the Western Balkans, and a demonstration that when prospective members are willing to undertake the onerous measures required, the EU in turn holds to its promises on enlargement.
Ireland has been positively associated with Croatia’s accession process from the beginning. It was during our Presidency of 2004 that Ireland sought and achieved a single clear decision on granting Croatia candidate status. Croatia will accede to the European Union on 1 July and I will represent the Irish Presidency in Zagreb at the accession celebrations on 30 June for what should be a fitting and happy finale to the Presidency.
Recognising the importance of engaging with a new member State at an early stage, we have stepped up our bilateral contacts with Croatian in recent months. In addition to meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pusi, in Brussels at the regular Council meetings, last month Ms. Pusi visited Dublin and held discussions with myself and Minister of State Creighton. I held talks in Dublin last September with Deputy Prime Minister Mr Neven Mimica, who has since been nominated as Croatia’s first Commissioner. Prior to this, Minister of State Creighton attended the Croatia Summit in July 2012 and also met with Foreign Minister Pusi.
As Croatia joins the family of members of the European Union, I expect that our relations will continue to strengthen and deepen.
