EPP leaders push for Croatia talks

Leaders of the European People's Party (EPP), including Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, yesterday appealed for common sense to prevail in order for Croatia to solve the impasse it has with the EU and start accession talks as soon as possible.

In a move considered to be a first for the EU, Croatia's opening of accession negotiations, scheduled to start last week, were put on hold indefinitely until it is established that it is fully collaborating with the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague over the arrest of a former general accused with atrocities connected to the war in former Yugoslavia.

The general is still on the run and the EU is not convinced that the Croatian government is collaborating with the international judicial authorities.

Dr Gonzi attended for the six-hour EPP meeting in a historic castle in Maise, outside Brussels, together with various government and EU leaders and other members of the EPP.

The leaders included Commission President José Durao Manuel Barroso, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Jean Claude Juncker and Dutch Premier Jan-Peter Balkenende.

Dr Gonzi said at the end of the meeting that the majority of EPP leaders think that a solution about Croatia should be found as soon as possible in order for the country to start accession negotiations.

Current EU president Jean Claude Juncker gave a presentation on the agreement reached last Sunday by finance ministers on the reform of the Growth and Stability Pact.

Dr Gonzi said that although there seemed to be some unresolved issues with regard to the interpretation of the agreement by the German government, the leaders congratulated the Luxembourg presidency on the deal reached.

He said that the agreement fully respects Malta's position on the pact, arguing that while strict economic and financial rules are essential for Europe to have a strong economy, the EU will also consider the particular scenario of the member states and give particular attention to structural reforms being implemented.