Jandroković calls on regional leaders to adopt pro-European rhetoric

Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković called on leaders of the Western Balkan countries in Copenhagen on Monday to adopt a clearer pro-European rhetoric and advocated for a stronger commitment to EU enlargement.

Gordan Jandroković told the conference of speakers of the parliaments of the European Union member states that enlargement represents a strategic investment in the unity, resilience and global influence of the Union, praising the granting of candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.

“This is a clear signal of the EU's readiness to politically, economically and security-wise integrate partner countries that share its values,” said Jandroković in his speech Europe in a Changing World: Security, Enlargement and the Role of Parliaments,” Croatian Parliament said in a statement.

He considers the enlargement of the European Union to include countries in the region to be the most effective instrument for achieving long-term stability in the region, but he also warned that there are no shortcuts for anyone because the accession process must remain based on merit.

“There is no compromise on the rule of law, democratic governance and the protection of fundamental rights, which form the very core of European values,” stressed Jandroković.

He specifically referred to Ukraine, which has been fighting Russian aggression since February 2022, emphasizing that political support for that country must be accompanied by continued financial and military assistance in its fight for freedom.

The Parliament Speaker will meet bilaterally in Copenhagen with the Presidents of the Czech and Belgian Senates, Miloš Vystrčil and Vincent Blondel.

Source: HRT