Croatia committed to EU enlargement despite Brexit: FM

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Croatia Wednesday stressed its commitment to the European Union’s enlargement and unity even amid Britain’s planned exit from the bloc and its repercussions.

“Despite the United Kingdom's decision to exit the EU, Croatia will continue to support the EU's stability and unity in order to gain strength for its external challenges,” Foreign and EU Affairs Minister Miro Kovac told a government session in the capital Zagreb on Croatia’s priorities during Slovakia’s Presidency of the EU Council.

“Croatia supports the EU's enlargement policy based on the [candidate] country’s fulfillment of the criteria and success,” added Kovac.

Croatia joined the EU three years ago.

Turkey is a longtime EU candidate country, while Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia’s southern and eastern neighbor, got official candidate country status just last week.

Over a half-million ethnic Croats live in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Kovac also stressed that Croatia will continue to engage in a comprehensive approach and measures to manage all aspects of migration, especially for the EU's external borders.

"Croatia will continue to support the countries of southeastern Europe face migrant challenges," said Kovac.