President Milanović Ahead of Brdo-Brijuni Process Summit: We are here to encourage and help our neighbours enter the EU

The Chairs of the Brdo-Brijuni Process, President Zoran Milanović of the Republic of Croatia and President Borut Pahor of the Republic of Slovenia, held a working meeting ahead of the annual Brdo-Brijuni Process Summit.

The two presidents met in Bled, Slovenia and gave statements to members of the press prior to their meeting. President Milanović told the press that in the past ten years the Brdo-Brijuni Process initiative had shown “that it makes a lot of sense.”

“We are here to encourage and help our friends and neighbours in the Western Balkans, in general from the area of the former Yugoslavia, plus Albania, so that they can, as soon and as simply as possible, enter the EU, for this is in everyone’s interest,” said President Milanović, adding that he believes that it is in Slovenia’s interest for Croatia to enter the Schengen Area as soon as possible.

“It is all part of a wider story in which we will do everything possible, above all our government, i.e. the executive authorities, but also on our part, to make our neighbours, as soon as possible, part of the community to which we belong,” said the Croatian President.

“After all, there is one Europe and it should be so because whenever this area was divided in history it wasn’t good. We don’t see eye-to-eye on all issues, but I believe we have positions which can be joined (…), positions which give some result. I am optimistic about tomorrow’s meeting and I think we will work well tomorrow,” President Milanović concluded.

PHOTO: Office of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas