After Slovenia, Croatia will become the second EU member from the region, which is excellent news for all neighbouring states, the Western Balkans and the EU, which will continue expanding, Kacin said on the website of his Liberal Democratic Party on the occasion of the 20th independence anniversaries of Slovenia and Croatia and the completion of Croatia's EU entry talks.

Croatia's EU accession is big encouragement to the other countries in the region. I hope Croatia will realise very soon its regional and political position as well as the responsibility, role and opportunities the region offers it, said Kacin, who is also the European Parliament rapporteur on Serbia and the vice president of the EP's delegation for Southeast Europe.

Serbia is slowly making progress and deserves at least EU candidate status, he said, adding that he was confident the European Commission's decision on Serbia's application would be positive.

Kacin said Montenegro could soon be given a date for the start of EU entry talks, which he said would have a positive effect on Bosnia and Herzegovina, as it would be surrounded by countries involved in the integration process.

Kacin said that despite the positive trends in the region, Macedonia was standing in place and that it should choose the future instead of looking to the past and deepening its dispute with Greece. He said Albania was regressing in its drawing closer to the EU.