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The National Assembly ratified unanimously Croatia’s EU Accession Treaty
17/02/2012
Bulgaria’s National Assembly ratified unanimously, by 180 votes, the Accession Treaty of Croatia to the European Union. The President of the Croatian Parliament Boris Sprem attended the solemn ratification on the invitation of the National Assembly’s President.
The Accession Treaty of Croatia to the EU was signed on December 9th, 2011 in Brussels during the sitting of the European Council. The treaty is expected to take effect on 1 July 2013, following the ratification of Croatia and the 27 Member States of the European Union.
The President of the National Assembly, Tsetska Tsacheva, stressed that Bulgaria is among the first countries to ratify the Treaty. She emphasized that for Bulgaria the ratification is not just a formal act, but another proof of our support to the European perspective of the countries in the region. Croatia’s path to the EU should be taken as an example by the other Southeast European countries, aimed at joining the EU family.
The Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds and the Foreign Policy and Defense Committee concluded in their joint report that the ratification of the treaty will facilitate the EU enlargement process towards the countries from Southeast Europe. During the ratification period, the European Commission will monitor closely Croatia’s progress in meeting the treaty’s objectives.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Nikolai Mladenov, emphasized that the vote for Croatia is a vote for the European Union as a whole. The Minister also noted that the EU accession of countries from the region is of strategic importance for Bulgaria. The Minister assured that Bulgaria will not only be a reliable friend and ally to Croatia but even something more – a soulmate in the EU.
The Chairwoman of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of European Funds, Monika Panayotova, noted that Bulgaria is not only looking at Croatia’s Accession Treaty as a formal act, but also as a manifestation of the constant Bulgarian support to the European perspective of the Western Balkans.
According to the Chairperson of the “Coalition for Bulgaria” Parliamentary Group, Sergei Stanishev, despite the difficulties, the EU enlargement process continues. He declared that “The Bulgarian Socialist Party and The Party of the European Socialists (PES) will not be satisfied until all countries from the Western Balkans become full-right members of the EU. It is a necessary step for the region and a historical mission for the EU”, Mr. Stanishev added.
Assen Agov, Member of the “Blue Coalition” Parliamentary Group, expressed support for Croatia’s accession to the EU. He pointed out that Bulgaria and Croatia have a common goal - the EU integration of the Western Balkans and the whole region.
Younal Loutfi, Member of the “Movement for Rights and Freedoms” Parliamentary Group, noted that in a relatively short time Croatia succeeded in the fight against corruption, organized crime and the judicial reform. He added that Croatia is a country that shares the values of democracy, such as the unconditional respect for human rights, freedom of speech and the supremacy of law.
Stanislav Stanilov, Member of the “Ataka” Party Parliamentary Group, congratulated the Croatians on the referendum for EU membership and summoned them to keep high value of their “Flag of national honour”.
After the ratification vote, the President of the Croatian Parliament, Boris Sprem addressed the Bulgarian Parliament. He noted that Croatia’s full EU membership is like coming back home. He thanked the Bulgarian deputies and expressed confidence that the two countries will contribute to the prosperity and stability not only of the region but of the entire European Union. The President of the Croatian Parliament pointed out that Bulgaria demonstrated and proved its support for the region many times during the past 20 years. He noted that the two countries share common history and face similar challenges. “The fact that you became a NATO and EU Member six years before us didn’t drive us apart. On the contrary, it gave an additional impulse to our bilateral relations. There goes a saying that there is no true friendship in politics, but only interests. Nevertheless, let me name the Croatian – Bulgarian relations friendly, for we understand each other without translation, we belong to the same region in Southeast Europe and we work together for its stability and progress”, President Sprem declared.
Later on the President of the Croatian Parliament had a meeting with the President of the National Assembly Tsetska Tsacheva, the Chairwoman of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of European Funds, Monika Panayotova, the Chairperson of the Foreign Policy and Defense Committee, Dobroslav Dimitrov and the Chairperson of the Friendship Group Bulgaria – Republic of Croatia, Angel Naydenov.
The Accession Treaty of Croatia to the EU was signed on December 9th, 2011 in Brussels during the sitting of the European Council. The treaty is expected to take effect on 1 July 2013, following the ratification of Croatia and the 27 Member States of the European Union.
The President of the National Assembly, Tsetska Tsacheva, stressed that Bulgaria is among the first countries to ratify the Treaty. She emphasized that for Bulgaria the ratification is not just a formal act, but another proof of our support to the European perspective of the countries in the region. Croatia’s path to the EU should be taken as an example by the other Southeast European countries, aimed at joining the EU family.
The Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds and the Foreign Policy and Defense Committee concluded in their joint report that the ratification of the treaty will facilitate the EU enlargement process towards the countries from Southeast Europe. During the ratification period, the European Commission will monitor closely Croatia’s progress in meeting the treaty’s objectives.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Nikolai Mladenov, emphasized that the vote for Croatia is a vote for the European Union as a whole. The Minister also noted that the EU accession of countries from the region is of strategic importance for Bulgaria. The Minister assured that Bulgaria will not only be a reliable friend and ally to Croatia but even something more – a soulmate in the EU.
The Chairwoman of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of European Funds, Monika Panayotova, noted that Bulgaria is not only looking at Croatia’s Accession Treaty as a formal act, but also as a manifestation of the constant Bulgarian support to the European perspective of the Western Balkans.
According to the Chairperson of the “Coalition for Bulgaria” Parliamentary Group, Sergei Stanishev, despite the difficulties, the EU enlargement process continues. He declared that “The Bulgarian Socialist Party and The Party of the European Socialists (PES) will not be satisfied until all countries from the Western Balkans become full-right members of the EU. It is a necessary step for the region and a historical mission for the EU”, Mr. Stanishev added.
Assen Agov, Member of the “Blue Coalition” Parliamentary Group, expressed support for Croatia’s accession to the EU. He pointed out that Bulgaria and Croatia have a common goal - the EU integration of the Western Balkans and the whole region.
Younal Loutfi, Member of the “Movement for Rights and Freedoms” Parliamentary Group, noted that in a relatively short time Croatia succeeded in the fight against corruption, organized crime and the judicial reform. He added that Croatia is a country that shares the values of democracy, such as the unconditional respect for human rights, freedom of speech and the supremacy of law.
Stanislav Stanilov, Member of the “Ataka” Party Parliamentary Group, congratulated the Croatians on the referendum for EU membership and summoned them to keep high value of their “Flag of national honour”.
After the ratification vote, the President of the Croatian Parliament, Boris Sprem addressed the Bulgarian Parliament. He noted that Croatia’s full EU membership is like coming back home. He thanked the Bulgarian deputies and expressed confidence that the two countries will contribute to the prosperity and stability not only of the region but of the entire European Union. The President of the Croatian Parliament pointed out that Bulgaria demonstrated and proved its support for the region many times during the past 20 years. He noted that the two countries share common history and face similar challenges. “The fact that you became a NATO and EU Member six years before us didn’t drive us apart. On the contrary, it gave an additional impulse to our bilateral relations. There goes a saying that there is no true friendship in politics, but only interests. Nevertheless, let me name the Croatian – Bulgarian relations friendly, for we understand each other without translation, we belong to the same region in Southeast Europe and we work together for its stability and progress”, President Sprem declared.
Later on the President of the Croatian Parliament had a meeting with the President of the National Assembly Tsetska Tsacheva, the Chairwoman of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of European Funds, Monika Panayotova, the Chairperson of the Foreign Policy and Defense Committee, Dobroslav Dimitrov and the Chairperson of the Friendship Group Bulgaria – Republic of Croatia, Angel Naydenov.
