Croatia pledges to help other Balkan states to join EU

ZAGREB, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Croatia on Monday pledged to help other Balkan countries to join the EU, the first day for Croatia as an EU member.

President Ivo Josipovic met leaders from other Balkan states hours after Croatia officially became the 28th member of the EU. Croatia is the second former Yugoslav state after Slovenia to join the block.

The leaders agreed to enhance regional cooperation, said Josipovic, "We are optimistic about the future".

"We want good neighborly relations and the further enlargement of the European Union......We agree to informally meet together from time to time and discuss all the important issues for the region," he noted.

Josipovic added that they have singled out three important issues, including further EU enlargement process, development of regional projects as well as resolving remaining outstanding issues in the region.

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