President: Croatia ready to enter EU
The president of Croatia has said that his country may be ready to enter the European Union (EU) by 2009, according to new reports.
President Stjepan Mesic made the comments as Europe celebrated the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, which formed the basis of the present-day European Union.
He said that Croatia now has the opportunity to share in the stability and economic opportunities offered by the union, while in return enhancing it with the country's vast potential - both cultural and scientific, according to the Javno news portal.
The news provider quotes Mr Mesic as saying that although the EU is currently undergoing a constitution crisis following rejections of the draft constitution by France and the Netherlands, this should have no impact on Croatia's attempt to join the EU.
Mr Mesic commented that Croatia will continue to revise infrastructure to meet European standards - something that should be complete by the end of 2008, for an entry into the union in 2009.
The European Union currently comprises 27 member states, with Bulgaria and Romania having joined in January 2007.
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