German Parliament President Norbert Lammert has announced his ‘…absolute opposition to the expansion of the EU and Croatia’s entry’ in an article for Welt am Sonntag.
Croatian President Ivo Josipovic responded to the article yesterday telling reporters that Croatia would definitely be entering the European Union on July 1st 2013 adding, “Germany has from the very beginning of our EU journey supported us. The statements that you are referring to I understand to be scepticism toward EU expansion post Croatian entry and at the same time a nudge reminding us to do what needs to be done prior to entry.”
Responding to Lammert’s claims, President of the Croatian Parliament Josip Leko noted that the head of the EU delegation in Croatia, Paul Van Doren had as recently as Friday presented a comprehensive report by the European Commission on Croatia’s progress. The report concludes that Croatia is moving forward and responsibly fulfilling its obligations pre-accession.