Angela Merkel to visit Croatia on Monday, then Serbia and Montenegro

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit Croatia on Monday in what will be the first stop on her tour of several Balkan states.

Merkel is later expected to travel on to Belgrade and Podgorica, the capitals of Serbia and Montenegro respectively.

Merkel’s message is likely to emphasize the fact that Croatia finished European Union negotiations because it fulfilled all criteria and that the doors to the Union are open to all those willing to do the same.