The European Union (EU) said Wednesday that it welcomes the parliamentary elections held in theRepublic of Croatia on Tuesday.

"These elections, which the international observers considered to have been conducted in a calm and orderly manner, with the voters able to express their political will freely, may represent a significant step towards drawing Croatia to the perspective of full integration into European structure," the EU said in a presidential statement.

The EU also calls for all political forces in Croatia to respect and honor the electoral results. The 15-nation bloc reaffirmed its readiness to develop and intensify its cooperation with teh Republic of Croatia.

The EU presidency in the first half of 2000 is Portugal. The EU members rotate as EU presidency every six months. (Xinhua)