MINISTERS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND AGRICULTURE ON PROTOCOL VII

ZAGREB, March 22 (Hina) - Croatia's European Union Minister Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic and Agriculture Minister Petar Cobankovic held a joint news conference to speak about further negotiations with the European Commission on Protocol VII. The protocol will arrange trade activities between Croatia and the European Union after ten new countries enter the EU on 1 May.#L# The conclusion of the protocol is envisaged by Article 23 of the provisional agreement and Article 36 of the Croatia-EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement which stipulate that after the EU's enlargement, the talks on new quotas (for agricultural goods and food) would be held considering mutual interests, Minister Grabar Kitarovic said. We are trying to protect Croatia's agriculture and not to slow down the process of the country's integration (into Europe). Therefore we are looking for the best solutions regarding the determination of quota for certain products, Minister Cobankovic said adding that Croatia must enhance competitiveness of its agricultural products. The negotiations on the Protocol VII must be completed by 1 May when the ten new members join the EU. The second round of the negotiations on the matter was held by Croatia and the EC on 17 March in Brussels, and the third round is likely to take place in Zagreb. (Hina) ms