Hans-Gert Pöttering

Hans-Gert Pöttering, the President of the European Parliament, finished today his official visit to Croatia which begun yesterday in the evening, on the invitation of Vladimir Å eks, the Speaker of the Hrvatski Sabor (Croatian Parliament).During the visit the President met with the Prime Minister of Croatia Mr Ivo Sanader and leader of the opposition Mr Zoran Milanović. In Parliament he had an exchange-of-views with members of the National Committee for the Monitoring of Accession Negotiations and parliamentary representatives of the Croatian national minorities. The highlight of the visit was the formal address to the Croatian parliament, the Sabor. It was already the third speech the President made before a parliament since taking office in January. Earlier he spoke in the Israeli Knesset and in the Bulgarian parliament.

President Pöttering, on the decision of the President of Croatia, was decorated by Prime Minister Sanader with the Grand Order of Queen Jelena with Sash and Star, the highest distinction awarded to foreign dignitaries.

Concluding his visit the President said:” I am satisfied with the duration of the visit. My reception in Zagreb was warm and welcome.

For me it is important to meet with representatives of both the government majority, as well as the opposition. Today in Zagreb I witnessed that both sides of the political spectrum are working hard together in a mature manner to proceed the course of European integration of their country. In that respect I am optimistic and as President of the European Parliament I am convinced that our institution will continue to support Croatia in that important ambition”.

The speech of the President delivered to the Sabor can be found on www.europarl.europa.eu/president

For further information: Katrin Ruhrmann GSM: +32 475 493 357

Robert A. Golański GSM: + 32 475 751 663