Croatia's entry into the European Union on July 1 is a historic moment and a great achievement for Croatia, British Prime Minister David Cameron said in London on Thursday.
I am confident that Croatia will be an example to other countries in the region, because EU enlargement will not stop, Cameron said during a meeting with Croatian President Ivo Josipovic in his office at 10 Downing Street.
The British PM said that as of July 1 the two countries would be building the European future and would be working together on necessary reforms of the EU. Speaking of bilateral relations, he said he hoped that Croatia and Britain would encourage mutual trade and investments more than they had so far.
Cameron met with Josipovic on the day when all the attention of his government was directed at the gruesome murder of a British soldier in London, which the authorities described as an act of terrorism. The incident was the reason why the meeting with Josipovic was postponed for several hours.
Josipovic told the press that Cameron was very frank and inclined to Croatia, adding that it was important to Croatia to have a partner like Britain despite the fact that its views about the institutional and economic development of Europe often differed from those of Croatia and the rest of the Union.
"We have our commitments from the accession treaty, which include the euro, but on the other hand we have to realise that some countries have different positions. It will take a lot of effort to find a formula that will enable the further development of Europe, taking into account the specific interests of individual countries," the Croatian president said. "I believe this task can be accomplished. I believe in our common future, despite our different views," he added.
When asked if he expected Britain to be a partner to Croatia not just in southeastern Europe but also in the EU, Josipovic said that the EU was not as one on all issues, and that some of the EU countries were members of the eurozone while others were not.
"There are several different circles (...) and that is the beauty of the EU, because it makes it possible to look at problems from different aspects. This and creativity will help Europe overcome the present crisis and continue its institutional development," Josipovic said.
During the day Josipovic visited the London School of Economics where he talked to British experts on European affairs. He will wrap up his visit on Friday by visiting Oxford University where he is to deliver a talk on Croatian foreign policy.
