Text tabled : A7-0389/2011

  Kristiina Ojuland (ALDE), in writing. – The green light by the European Parliament to the application of Croatia to accede to the EU comes at a very right time. When some external actors may wish to see the EU disintegrating, the accession of a new member sends out a reassuring signal: ‘The reports of its death are greatly exaggerated’. The accession of Croatia does not, however, mark the end of the country’s European integration. The experience of Estonia, as well as of the other Member States that have joined recently, has taught that even more difficult challenges lay ahead. It is far more demanding to establish a relatively small country as a full-fledged active Member State on a routine basis than to meet the fixed criteria and conclude the negotiations. Membership calls for a long-term perspective, patience and willingness to compromise for the common good in order to secure the viability of European Union as an influential global actor. I look forward to working with my future colleagues from Croatia to reach those goals and hope that soon enough, we may greet all the Western Balkans to the European Union.