Croatia to continue good relations with China after EU accession

ZAGREB -- Croatia will become a new friend inside the European Union (EU) after it joins the block on July 1, said Dejan Jovic, political advisor to Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, on Wednesday.

Croatia enjoys good relations with China on both economic and political levels, which will be the same after Croatia becomes a member of the EU, said Jovic during an interview with Xinhua News Agency.

"In economic terms, more could be done," he noted, adding that Croatia will be more attractive to investors after EU accession. Croatia welcomes more Chinese economic involvement and more visitors from China, he added.

Croatia can provide links for goods coming into West Europe in terms of transportation, Jovic said, adding that the two countries have huge potential in that field.

"China is a hugely important factor for global peace," he said, "Croatia will enhance cooperation between EU and China in this respect."

Talking about EU accession, Jovic said it is very important for Croatia, a small country with a long border and a complex history of transition, to join such a strong bloc as EU.

It will also be beneficial to the economy, especially for tourism sector, although Croatia now faces some problems in economy, he added.

Jovic added that Croatian leaders are committed to help its neighboring countries, like Serbia, Bosia and Hezergovina, to join the EU, saying it would be wrong if EU enlargement stops after July 1.