Croatian President Ivo Josipovic on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with Hungary's support for Croatia's plans on accession to the European Union, which include the completion of the accession talks by the end of this year and the country's integration with the EU in 2012.
"I am glad that the Hungarian President has reaffirmed his country's support for Croatia's admission to the EU. Our plan to complete the membership talks in 2010 and enter the EU in 2012 has received support," President Josipovic said at a press conference held after his talks with Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom.
"I am grateful for that and we in Croatia are aware that certain reforms must be implemented," he added.
President Solyom said he would like Croatia to join the EU as soon as possible.
Hungary will be chairing the EU in the first half of 2011 and it wants to be one of the first countries to ratify Croatia's EU accession treaty, he said.
When asked about the remaining obstacles on Croatia's path to the EU, President Josipovic singled out negotiation chapter No. 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights - one of the three remaining unopened policy areas, adding that nevertheless progress on that chapter had been recognised, that numerous reforms had been carried out and that the fight against corruption and organised crime had been stepped up.
President Josipovic mentioned the signing of the border arbitration agreement with Slovenia, saying that it had opened a new chapter in the two countries' good neighbourly relations.
President Josipovic and President Solyom reiterated that Croatia and Hungary had friendly, uninterrupted, very good relations, free of any outstanding issues.
President Josipovic said he hoped that the new Hungarian government, to be formed after parliamentary elections in April, would continue the policy of cooperation, including the holding of joint sessions with the Croatian government.
The two presidents said that their talks also focused on the economy and the issue of ethnic minorities.
Solyom said that the most important goal in the economy was development of infrastructure between the two countries - roads, railways, and power and gas supply systems.
With regard to national minorities, the situation in both countries is well organised and minorities can use benefits at their disposal.
Solyom said he would like minorities in Hungary to be given the right to elect their deputy to the parliament, which at present is not envisaged by the Hungarian constitution.
President Josipovic, who is also to meet with ethnic Croats during his day-long visit to Hungary, said that he was glad that Zagreb and Budapest shared the same view on the protection of ethnic minorities, agreeing with Solyom to support the establishment of a student dorm in Osijek and a theatre in Pecs.
Later in the day, President Josipovic was expected to meet Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai and Parliament Speaker Bela Katona.