ZAGREB, Jan 1 (Hina) - On January 1, Greece took over the presidency of the European Union from Denmark. The new EU president has announced to invest more efforts in stronger association of south-eastern Europe with the Union, and the
agenda for the next six months should be marked by the signing of the documents on the entry of 10 new members in the Union as well as more efficient struggle against illegal migrations and the bolstering of security system in Europe.
ZAGREB, Jan 1 (Hina) - On January 1, Greece took over the presidency
of the European Union from Denmark. The new EU president has
announced to invest more efforts in stronger association of south-
eastern Europe with the Union, and the agenda for the next six
months should be marked by the signing of the documents on the entry
of 10 new members in the Union as well as more efficient struggle
against illegal migrations and the bolstering of security system in
Europe. #L#
According to announcements from the Greek leadership, during the
coming six months Athens will encourage five western Balkan
countries in their bids to come closer to the EU, and it will take
account of the fact that those countries are at different levels of
development and therefore they should not be necessarily treated as
one group but rather on an individual basis.
Greece is to organise a summit of the EU and those five countries -
Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia - in Salonika to define more clearly their
prospects for the admission into the EU.
Croatian diplomats describe 2003 as a crucial year in the process of
association, and Zagreb is intending to submit the application for
the full membership in February.
After Greece, Italy will preside over the EU in the second half of
2003.
(hina) ms