Merkel refuses to get specific on Croatia EU membership
German Chancellor Angela Merkel refused on Wednesday to say when Croatia could join the European Union (EU), after talks in Berlin with Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor.
"When the jointly agreed tasks have been fulfilled, membership will be possible," the chancellor said. Amongst other things, this included a solution to Croatia′s disagreement with Slovenia over their common border.
"We will then ensure with full might that Croatia can become a member," Merkel added.
Kosor in turn said that Croatia was "confident we will be the 28th member," of the EU. The Balkan state hopes to join the EU by 2011.
Merkel lauded Croatia′s efforts to fight corruption, and thanked Kosor for Croatia′s "brave policies" in response to the economic crisis.
The chancellor also praised Croatia for its "key role," in helping to solve problems in Bosnia-Herzegovina and other neighbouring countries.
Westerwelle to discuss debt crisis with Greece
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is scheduled to discuss Greece′s debt crisis when he visits the southern Mediterranean country Monday.
The German foreign minister has ensured his country′s full support as Athens battles to restore its public finances - but last week Germany said that it would not be helping to finance Greece′s deficit itself.
"We have confidence that the Greek government will display the required dynamism in addressing the structural weaknesses of the economy," Westerwelle told the Greek daily Kathimerini newspaper.
"Athens has the full support of Germany and all other European Union member states on the issue."
While in Athens, Westerwelle will hold talks with Greek President Carolos Papoulias, Prime Minister George Papandreou and Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou.
Athens is feeling the heat from the European Union for drastic action to restore its public finances after seeing its credit rating downgraded recently by all three major rating agencies.
First EU President to be picked on Nov 19 say diplomats
European Union leaders are expected to choose the first ever president of the 27-member bloc next week, at a summit scheduled for November 19, German Press Agency dpa learned from diplomats in Brussels on Tuesday.
By then, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who is coordinating the negotiations, plans to have ended consultations with the EU member states - enabling the EU leaders to fill two new high- profile EU posts on November 19.
Sweden currently holds the EU′s rotating presidency.
Swedish officials on Tuesday said that Reinfeldt was still in the process of calling EU counterparts to find out their preferred candidates for the two top jobs.
The Swedish premier is scheduled to address the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday, raising speculation that he might name a summit date during the visit.
The EU′s Lisbon Treaty, which creates the positions of president and foreign policy director, is expected to come into force on December 1.