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EU's Tusk: Croatia's EU Presidency Comes at Critical Time

Associated Press

   ZAGREB, CROATIA - Croatia's first-ever presidency in the European Union
   will come at come at a "critical period" for the 28-nation bloc,
   outgoing EU leader Donald Tusk said Tuesday.

   The EU's newest member could end up in charge of launching the bloc's
   post-Brexit negotiations with Britain, the European Council president
   said after talks with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.

   Croatia, which joined the EU in 2013, takes over the bloc's six-month
   rotating chairmanship at the beginning of January while Britain's
   departure from the bloc is now set for Jan. 31.

   "Your task is not easy," said Tusk. "It will be a critical period for
   the EU and we will be relying on your steady leadership."

   Tusk expressed confidence in Croatia's preparation for the job, adding
   that Croatia also needs to focus on the EU's enlargement agenda and the
   volatile Western Balkans.

   EU aspirations in the Western Balkans have been dealt a blow after
   France and the Netherlands blocked the opening of membership talks with
   North Macedonia and Albania.

   "I deeply believe that you (Croatia) will do everything in your power
   to restore EU unity and enlargement while demonstrating positive EU
   engagement in the region," Tusk said.

   Tusk was in Zagreb, the Croatian capital, for a meeting of the European
   People's Party, the main center-right bloc in the European Parliament.
   The Polish politician is expected to be elected the leader of the
   alliance during the two-day gathering.

   "I am leaving the EU in good hands," he said.