Eurocommissaris Rehn (uitbreiding) bezoekt Zagreb en Skopje (en)
Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn, will visit Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 25 and 26 November. On his first visit in his new capacity the Commissioner aims to establish as quickly as possible personal contact with the political leadership of these countries. Further visits to the region will follow in the coming weeks and months. He will bring the message of a clear European perspective for the countries of the Western Balkans, and will emphasis the importance of regional co-operation.
On the eve of his visit Olli Rehn said: "The European Commission has already in the past made clear the importance it attaches to its relations with the countries of the Western Balkans. By entrusting these countries to the responsibility of the Commissioner for Enlargement, the Barroso Commission clearly illustrates its will to put these countries in the mainstream of EU integration."
Croatia's membership application to the EU has already received a positive answer from the Member States at the European Council in June 2004. In October the Commission adopted a pre-accession strategy and a negotiating framework for Croatia. It has to be endorsed by the Member States on their Summit in December.
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has already introduced its application for membership to the European Union. President Prodi on his visit to former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in October 2004 handed over the questionnaire to the government, on the basis of which the Commission will present an opinion on the membership application to the EU Member States. The Commission is now waiting for the government's reply.
For further information see: