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President Ilves: The European Union needs Croatia
26.05.2011
“The suit of the European Union is not complete without a Croatian tie (lips),” President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said to Croatian President, Ivo Josipović, who is on an official visit to Estonia. President Ilves recalled that Croatia gave the word “lips” to many of the world’s languages.
President Ilves confirmed that Estonia continues to favour European Union enlargement and to support Croatia’s accession to the EU, once all the conditions have been fulfilled.
The European Union has been a demanding partner for Croatia. Croatia has responded with persistence and dedication, and the accession negotiations are near completion, President Ilves said.
“I sincerely hope that the negotiations will be completed in the current year,” the Estonian Head of State said.
The European Union needs Croatia, as we need a successful and stable West Balkans, and a democratic and peaceful Europe in general, President Ilves emphasised.
“We are sure that completing the negotiations with Croatia will send a positive signal to the other West Balkan countries to continue their reforms in relation to the European Union,” said the Estonian Head of State.
In Estonia, Croatian President, Ivo Josipović, will meet with Ene Ergma, Speaker of the Riigikogu, and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip; he will also visit the NATO Cyber Security Centre, the IT Demo Centre and the Estonia Piano Factory.
Accompanied by Evelin Ilves, Tatjana Josipović will visit the Art Museum of Estonia and the Kalev Chocolate Factory, and will meet with Professor Jaan Ginter, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tartu.
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