The coordination between the United States and the European Union on issues pertaining to Southeastern Europe is now more important than it was ever before. We have stated clearly that the democratisation of all countries in the region can be achieved through integration with the EU which has been a strong pulling force for social and economic progress in Central and Eastern Europe, and we believe that the same applies to Southeastern Europe. I think that there is no better example of that than the incredible progress Croatia has made in the last six-seven years since it decided to join the EU, Countryman told a group of reporters in Brussels.

The US official was visiting Brussels to discuss the situation in Southeastern Europe with EU officials, after which he will visit Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia.

Asked if the US could do anything to prevent possible new obstacles in the final stage of Croatia's EU entry talks, such as possible objections from the Netherlands or Great Britain, or possible problems in Slovenia regarding the ratification of a Croatian-Slovenian agreement on international arbitration in the two countries' border dispute, Countryman said US support was unquestionable, but that relevant decisions were up to EU members.

We expect Croatia to be rewarded for its hard work and the reforms it has carried out and we believe that it can be done this year, even in its first half, said the US official.

Countryman said that the biggest challenge for all countries in the region was the rule of law, the establishment of a credible and autonomous judicial system which should be depoliticised and free of any political influence.