Remarks by Ambassador Sorensen at the ceremony to place the flag of the Republic of Croatia
Today, the Republic of Croatia becomes the 28th Member State of the European Union. We are gathered to welcome Croatia into the European Union family.
Croatia’s entry is testament to the country’s efforts to reform and to meet the challenges of the accession process. It shows that with the necessary political will to implement political and economic reforms, and to show respect for European values such as the rule of law, democratic principles and human rights – then, and only then, European Union membership can be achieved.
Croatia’s membership also provides fresh evidence of the transformative power of the European Union’s enlargement policy: torn by conflict only two decades ago, the Republic of Croatia is now a stable democracy, capable of taking on the obligations of European Union membership.
Therefore, on behalf of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina and as EU Special Representative – warm and heartfelt congratulations, Ambassador Stanicic.
The achievement of your country is a powerful signal for the countries of the entire region – including Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Croatia’s membership of the European Union reaffirms that the perspective of European integration remains open to all countries in the region.
As Croatia enters the European Union, it does not mean that it is leaving the region. Instead it means that the European Union is getting closer to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This country will be literally embraced by the single market. A single market that offers more opportunities.
The European Union was built on the ashes of the Second World War. Reconciliation and cooperation among former rivals became the basis for many decades of peace, stability and prosperity. The same perspective is now open to the entire Western Balkans region. Croatia’s historic accession brings this perspective a step closer. Together we will continue to be ready to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in taking the next steps to follow Croatia as quickly as possible.
Thank you!
Remarks by Ambassador of Croatia, Tonči Staničić, at the ceremony to place the flag of the Republic of Croatia
Ambassador Sorensen, Ladies and Gentlemen Heads and members of the Delegation and EU Missions, diplomats of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, dear friends,
As you may well observe, I am addressing you in the new official language of the European Union – the Croatian language. What else to say this morning when Croatia has been the EU Member State for already 10 hours except – finally, the day has come!
During the few last hours before and the first hour after midnight at the central ceremony in Zagreb, replies to the questions – why Croatia needs Europe and why Europe needs Croatia – were expressed in the show and by the leaders of the EU and Croatia.
Numerous and also necessary words of appreciation were uttered last night in Zagreb, but they need to be repeated here as well. As a leading Croatian diplomat in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on behalf of my staff and myself, I sincerely thank the Ambassador Sorensen, his team, all those in the Delegation who have been dealing in the last several years with the substantive, sincere, ultimately constructive cooperation regarding all issues so important for Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the entire region.
Great appreciation also to all the employees of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Sarajevo, employees of the Croatian Consulates in BiH, diplomats who are with us today but also all those who used to work with us; those who worked here ten years ago as well as those who worked here until yesterday. All of them have embedded part of themselves into this day.
Croatia’s accession to the European Union is significant for Croatia as much as it is for Bosnia and Herzegovina, it’s both entities, all ethnicities and citizens. The remote EU border has come to the borders of BiH. This is the opportunity that is almost impossible not to be used, since the EU history in the recent decades has shown that the progress was flourishing along its borders. One thousand kilometres long border between the EU and BiH means, translated into the official languages of BiH – one thousand good news, one thousand opportunities for prosperity, one thousand reasons for putting a single denominator for internal issues.
The European Union and Croatia have shared an opinion that there is no alternative to the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now, there are neither tangible nor formal reasons why Croatia, through its Embassy in Sarajevo, General Consulates in Banja Luka and Mostar or Consulate in Tuzla, should not be a concrete and effective extension of the EU in BiH. We look forward to the new challenges; we look forward to having the opportunity to provide assistance, more effectively than before, to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the countries in the region in taking the steps to follows us as soon as possible. Croatia has finally returned home. That is where they belong as well.
Thank you!
