ZAGREB, May 8, 2018 – Croatian Member of European Parliament Ivan Jakovčić of the Istrian Democratic Party said in Pula on Tuesday that calls to exit the EU definitely meant the impoverishment of Croatian citizens and that Europe is not ideal, but that there is no alternative.
“Europe isn’t ideal but there is no alternative. I’m not a Euroidealist, nor someone who thinks that the European Union is an ideal creation, but I think it needs to be reformed. But unlike those who want more disunity, I am for more unity and deepening the European Union and creating a new energy union, for a digital policy union, not 27 different policies,” Jakovčić told a press conference on the occasion of Europe Day and European Week.
He is convinced that the calls for Croatia to exit the EU “are something that is very detrimental to citizens because the EU has shown us the possibility of growth.”
Warning that the call to exit the EU was highly risky, he underscored that Croatia has to join the Schengen Area as soon as possible as that will enable strengthening the competitiveness of Croatia’s tourism.
Speaking about coming parliamentary elections in Slovenia, Jakovčić said that he fears that the “future will be worse than the present.”
If Janža or Židan win, that will “additionally complicate relations with Croatia,” because, Jakovčić said, “Janša is coming increasingly close to the policy of Hungary and Poland and the creation of a joint bloc of these three countries against the incumbent Brussels policy is certain.”
“That would be disastrous for Slovenia and the European policy. However, Croatia has to take that into consideration because that would additionally strain relations between Ljubljana and Zagreb. That certainly won’t be good for citizens who live along the border and especially for the economy and tourism in Croatia,” Jakovčić claimed.
“The situation is worrying and that is why I believe that prime ministers Plenković (Croatia) and Cerar (Slovenia) should find a solution. We should have been more assertive in seeking a solution based on the border arbitration decision,” he said.
Jakovčić announced that the IDS and the GLAS and Pametno parties will sign a value charter on Wednesday which he believes will be supported by a large number of citizens in Croatia. “That is a good step. If we are smart and enter a campaign together fast, I am certain that this coalition can bring some freshness to the political scene in Croatia,” he said and added that he supported an agreement on cooperation for at least three elections – European, as well as the presidential and parliamentary in Croatia, “as that will show seriousness, but we will also promote the liberal idea.”
He added that he was prepared to once again run for the European Parliament.
