Croatia is more than a close and reliable partner for Germany – it is a role model for European integration. Croatia’s successful accession to the EU showed how willingness to undertake reforms, determination and courage can change a country and provide people with a sense of opportunity. Germany and Croatia are now closer than ever before. In recent years, our bilateral trade with Croatia increased more than with any other EU member.

Now in particular, in a world undergoing profound change, Europe’s strength is reflected in cohesion and clear prospects. We need to offer the EU candidate countries in our neighbourhood clear paths to the Union on the basis of the rule of law, fundamental rights and energetic reforms. Where these prospects do not exist, autocratic powers attempt to gain influence through disinformation, corruption and violence, to turn people against our European project and to create new dependencies. Croatia has shown that the path of EU accession is an opportunity for people and of benefit to Europe as a whole.

As a role model and bridge builder for candidate countries, particularly those in the Western Balkans, Croatia plays a key part in the EU enlargement process. Croatia is very well aware of the opportunities and the challenges, so it is my wish that it will have an active role in the accession process of the countries in the Western Balkans. Like all countries in the region, Croatia will benefit most from successful enlargement – or suffer from the long-term impact should enlargement not be achieved. That is why we will work together to ensure that this process now advances rapidly. A strong, united and open Europe does not only promise prosperity and security, but also serves as a bulwark against authoritarian pressure and as a guarantee for the stability of our continent.