Intervention by Dr. Ivo Sanader, President of the Government of the Republic of Croatia,
at the International Bertelsmann Forum
«Europe – Moving towards a new Era», Berlin, January 9-10, 2004

«The Greater Europe – Strategies of differentiated Integration»

Mr Chairman,

I am delighted that my first public speech abroad in the capacity of the Croatian Prime-Minister is taking place here in Berlin at the distinguished International Bertelsmann Forum.

I have listened with great attention to the introduction by Mr Werner Weidenfeld, the keynotes given by Prime Minister Ahern and Mr Verheugen as well as the comments made by Prime Ministers Erdogan and Nastase this afternoon about the Strategies of Integration in the Greater Europe – and in these interventions I could feel the sense of responsibility in living up to the common challenges facing Europe at the beginning of the 21st century.

I am convinced that the European leaders will soon find determination and resourcefulness to create a European Constitutional framework which the citizens of all European countries deserve and await, despite the inability of the Intergovernmental Conference a month ago in Brussels to reach an agreement on the few outstanding issues.

Just before I present Croatia’s views on this subject, I would like to highlight key aspects of Croatia’s current relationship with the Union.

As you are aware, last year Croatia submitted a request for the EU membership. We are expecting the Commission to finalise and publish its Opinion on our application in March. I am convinced that the Commission will find that Croatia has achieved a significant progress in the process of fulfilling the Copenhagen and other relevant criteria.

It is my hope that our preparedness will be recognised and that the Commission will in its assessment recommend to the Council the opening of the accession negotiations with Croatia. It is our goal to become full member of the EU by 2007. In this respect, I would like to thank Günter Verheugen for the encouraging words about Croatia in his introductory remarks.

My Government will do its utmost in undertaking the reforms and implementing the policies which will open way for the June European Council in Brussels to be a landmark meeting for Croatia’s journey into the EU. This includes our unreserved co-operation with the ICTY, full respect of our international obligations and strengthening of regional co-operation.

We look forward to the adoption of the EU’s political decisions to open the accession negotiations with Croatia and to attribute it with the status of a candidate country already in June.

These decisions would not only encourage further reforms in Croatia, but would also be the clearest signal to the other countries included in the Stabilisation and Association Process.

My country is ready to assume its obligations in the region of Southeast Europe and serve as a bridge, sharing experience and facilitating the preparations of our neighbours to become the members of the EU.

Dear Colleagues,

The enlarging Union is changing. Old, new, future members and Union’s partners must adapt to that fact. On the one hand, the acceding countries are learning to adopt the acquis and to play their role in the EU institutions. On the other, the old members will start to appreciate the new culture and energy that the incoming members are bringing into the Union. This process of mutual adaptation might sometimes be cumbersome and uneasy, but that is actually quite expected.

Personally, I strongly believe in the European project modelled on the steady achievements and the development of deeper integration over past 50 years.

Unfortunately, Croatia did not take part in the work of the Convention on the Future of Europe nor is included in the deliberations of the Intergovernmental Conference. Nevertheless, if we are granted a candidate country status in June, we still might acquire an observer status, as our Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish friends have, in the remainder of the IGC.

Without an attempt to enter into the nuances of specific procedural or policy matters in the draft Constitution, I would like to underline some important principles which we see as vital for the future functioning of the Union.

First of all, we believe that the principle of equality of member states should be respected regardless of whether they are large or small, old or new.

As a second point, in our view the definition of the qualified majority within the Council should be done in a logical manner, realistically taking into account the position and weight of each country, but against the background of the overall functioning of the Union.

Thirdly, the evolution of the Community and the Union as well as the existing practice, teach us that enhanced co-operation in certain areas (or pioneer groups) - such as Euro, Schengen or defence - to mention only a few, has actually contributed to the positive developments in the Union. In that respect, we in principle see no harm if group of countries is prepared to take the integration process forward in a certain policy area. This flexibility within the EU framework should not lead towards the first and second class members, or to the dominating directorate. It should only be used to underpin and strengthen the integration process to the benefit of all member states.

The fourth point is about the global role of the enlarged Union. We believe that the enlargement will inevitably transform the EU into a pan-European subject within the international order. This new dimension of the Union will require strong effort of all members to ensure the coherent functioning and actions in the overall external relations. The key concept of effective multilateralism as outlined in the European Security Strategy is fully shared by Croatia and when the time comes we will be ready to implement it.

Finally, I would like to conclude by underlining the importance of further strengthening the democratic legitimacy of the Union’s institutions and their constant ability and need to refer back to the European citizens. It is precisely our citizens who need to be on board and well informed about the advancement in the European integration process. Only then will they be ready to support it and be able to identify themselves with the European idea.

Thank you very much.