Prime minister supports Croatia joining EU during 2009 Czech presidency

Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek has stressed that the integration of the West Balkans within the European Union is a process that needs to continue; he made the statement after meeting EU Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security Franco Frattini. The prime minister said that he expected final accession talks with the EU and Croatia would take place during the Czech EU presidency in 2009. Croatia first began accession talks with the EU in October 2005. Earlier this week, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg met with his Croatian counterpart Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, also expressing support for Croatia's membership in the European Union.