Tánaiste congratulates Croatian people on referendum on EU accession
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamon
Gilmore, T.D., this evening congratulated the Croatian people
on their passing of a referendum on EU accession.
“Today the Croatian people have taken a decision that will
forever change the path of their country, and change it, I firmly
believe, for the better. Less than 20 years after the conflict that
engulfed the former Yugoslavia the Croatian people have rebuilt
their country from devastation and displacement to become a
prosperous, modern liberal democracy.
Croatia has implemented many challenging reforms on
its path to EU accession. It now not only embodies the ideals and
values of the European Union, but also acts as a beacon for the
other countries of the Western Balkans as they too work towards
realising their European perspective.
The positive result is also a vote of confidence in
the EU and its future. It is heartening for Ireland and the other
EU Member States to be reminded, at this difficult time, that
membership of the European Union remains an attractive prospect for
our neighbours.
Ireland and Croatia enjoy warm relations. We have
much to offer each other, in terms of our fruitful bilateral
relationship and in our roles as members of the European
Union.
I look forward to welcoming Croatia as the
28th EU member State in July 2013 and to working with
them as the EU moves forward into a new era.”
