European parliament's president arrives in Croatia

European parliament's president arrives in Croatia

The president of the European Parliament visited Croatia on Wednesday to encourage the country to carry out reforms required for membership in the European Union.

Josep Borrell Fontelles is to meet top government officials during his two-day visit and address Croatian parliament deputies. On Thursday, Fontelles is to tour an area in central Croatia where the EU-financed postwar refugee housing and mine clearing projects.

This former Yugoslav country opened membership talks with the EU in October. Croatia hopes to join the 25-nation bloc in 2009, but it has to make further reforms, particularly in fighting corruption, reports the AP.

I.L.