BRATISLAVA, May 24, (WEBNVOINZ)- EU accession talks with Croatia could conclude during Hungary’s EU presidency, i.e. by the end of June, maintains Slovak Foreign Minister Mikulas Dzurinda. “I am convinced that Croatia is ripe for closing entry negotiations, it is a horizon that I can see, that I understand and I am personally convinced that it is realistic,” Dzurinda stated after the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council at the beginning of the week. The minister however declined to specify the date of the country’s entry into the European Union. It would not be wise, according to him and such statement would lack certain political logic and first of all it would be a little bit concerning for some or even provocative, said Dzurinda. He added that all substantial will be clear the moment accession talks come to their end. Currently, mainly progress in chapters on economic competition and justice is of key importance, he said.
The minister underscored that within the EU’s southern neighborhood policy including Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Egypt and Tunis Slovakia will make every effort to contribute to the positive development. “We feel certain added value in the area of sharing our experience from the transition process, transition from totalitarianism to plurality,” he specified the areas where Slovakia could offer its helping hand. He however underscored that he realizes cultural, religious, and civilization differences between Slovakia and these countries. Keeping this in mind Dzurinda will travel to Egypt within three weeks.
Regarding the Middle East stability and searching for a sustainable solution for the region unilateral announcement of an independent Palestine or recognition of a Palestinian state is undesired, thinks Dzurinda. “The key is direct talks and a certain sense of compromise and understanding on both sides,” he said.
Dzurinda said that at Monday’s talks, the Slovak diplomacy supported “targeted” economic sanctions against Belarus, since the regime of Alexander Lukashenko has been able so far to cope with other measures. He however thinks that the Slovak diplomacy should not get engaged in the issue of the possible withdrawal of the right to host the 2014 ice hockey championship from Belarus as the European Parliament demands it.
SITA