Strasbourg (F), 30 January 2012
On behalf of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), President Michèle Sabban congratulates Croatia and the Croatian citizens for taking the brave and wise decision of joining the European Union. “The outcome of the referendum held on January 22nd proves that Croatia is willing to play a central role in the process of European integration. This future Member State will help improve the functioning of today’s Europe, which needs our unified support in order to stay true to its core mission: bringing peace and prosperity to our continent.” stated President Sabban.
Today, AER counts almost all Croatian regions as members*. Through their membership to our organisation and the country’s accession to the EU, they will be on the front line of the fight to recover a strong Europe. Their example will also show other South-Eastern European States that EU membership is within reach, thanks to political courage and determined reforms.
President Sabban assures Croatia and its people that AER will be on their side in these decisive coming months.
* Brodsko-posavska, Dubrovnik-Neretva, Grad-Zagreb, Istra, Karlovac, Koprivnica-Krizevci, Krapina-Zagorje, Licko-senjska, Medimurje, Osijek-Baranya, Pozega-Slavonija, Primorje-Gorski kotar, Sibenik-Knin, Sisak Moslavina, Split, Varazdin, Vukovar-Srijem, Zadar, and Zagreb County.
The Assembly of European Regions (AER – aer.eu) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 250 regions from 35 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.
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