Seks was asked by the press to estimate if it was possible to expect a compromise solution between the ruling party, which proposes that Parliament adopt a declaration in principle and a joint Government-Parliament statement on the entry negotiations, and the opposition, which demands that Croatia's starting positions be defined at the very beginning, notably with regard to foreigners' right to buy real estate in Croatia.
The task force which will try to define a joint declaration or resolution Parliament is expected to adopt next week held its first meeting in Parliament today.
The task force rejected one member's proposal that Parliament adopt only a declaration and not a joint statement with the Government as well. The task force is due to meet again tomorrow.
A meeting was also held today by chief negotiator Vladimir Drobnjak and the chairmen of parliamentary committees on European integration, foreign affairs and inter-parliamentary cooperation. They agreed to meet in the future to exchange opinions on all problems which might arise in the EU entry negotiations.
Seks announced Parliament would dedicate the first three days of this year's first sitting, January 19-21, to "a series of documents related to EU entry negotiations, including a declaration which will define the relationship between Parliament, the Government and the negotiating teams during the negotiations".
He said that if the task force failed to draw up a joint proposal, Parliament would hold a combined discussion on all seven declaration drafts moved by clubs of deputies.
Next week Parliament will appoint a national committee for the negotiations which will comprise six ruling and six opposition MPs, representatives of the academic community, the Employers Association and the chairmen of three competent parliamentary committees. Seks said the committee would be chaired by an opposition MP.