(ANSA) - BRUXELLES - "We are very prudent in terms of coming out with some sort of dates, but we aim to become part of the Euro zone by the end of the next Croatian government mandate, in 2024", Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told reporters today in Brussels.

Within the next three years, before the country takes over the presidency of the European Union in 2020, "we would like to become part of the European exchange rate mechanism", he explained. The Prime Minister said all the arguments "are in favour" of joining the Eurozone. "Croatian savings are very much in euros, more than 90% of Croatian banks are owned by mother banks in different EU Member States", while the GDP has grown "over 3%, unemployment has lowered and the employment rate is increased".

Since last October, the government and the Croatian Central Bank have been engaged together in a national campaign on the euro strategy, to "demystify the classic negative mythology in this context" and "explain why the adoption of the euro would be beneficial for Croatian citizens and businesses ", the Prime Minister highlighted.

When it comes to the European Union enlargement to the Western Balkans, if Serbia "meets all the criteria" to become a Member State in 2025, "we will be very happy to welcome it", the Croatian PM pointed out. "We have no reserves in the pocket and we will be very happy to welcome all our neighbors, not just Serbia", he added. Bosnia-Herzegovina's progress to the EU is "a priority" for Croatia, "not only for geo-political reasons, but also for historical reasons", Plenkovic highlighted.

(ANSA).