Czech Republic and Slovakia Thursday supported Croatia's entry into the European Union (E.U.), stating that the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty by Ireland should not stand in the way, media reports said.
Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and his Slovakian counterpart, Robert Fico said in Prague that it was in the interest of the both countries that Croatia joins the E.U. as soon as possible.
Fico said formal obstacles resulting from the Irish "No" to the Lisbon treaty must not be allowed to stand in the way of Croatia's E.U. accession, while Topolanek said Croatia's entry would be one of the priorities of the Czech E.U. presidency from January to June next year. Fico said both he and Topolanek would promote this stance during meetings with diplomats from other EU countries.
Earlier in June, Topolanek said that Croatia could be admitted to the E.U. on the basis of the Treaty of Nice that entered into force in February 2003.
Irish voters in a referendum rejected the Lisbon Treaty in June. The treaty requires the ratification of all 27-member states of the E.U. to come into force.
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