ZAGREB NEXT WEEK ZAGREB, March 11 (Hina) - The European Union's commissioner for foreign affairs, Chris Patten, is set to visit Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro on March 12-14, the European Commission's delegation in Croatia said in
a statement on Tuesday.
ZAGREB, March 11 (Hina) - The European Union's commissioner for
foreign affairs, Chris Patten, is set to visit Croatia and Serbia
and Montenegro on March 12-14, the European Commission's
delegation in Croatia said in a statement on Tuesday. #L#
Patten will stay in Zagreb on the 12th and the 13th.
The objective of both trips is to discuss with top government
officials the progress made in drawing closer to Europe as part of
the Stabilisation and Association Process, read the statement.
Talks in Croatia will focus on the need to meet commitments from the
Stabilisation and Association Agreement and a transitional accord,
regardless of the country's recently submitted application for
full EU membership, the statement said.
It added the joint topic of both trips would be the importance of
all-round cooperation with the Hague-based war crimes tribunal.
The statement quotes Patten as saying the EU hopes to see the two
countries as associate EU members in due time. He also says
integration with the Union brings many benefits, as well as
important obligations. Patten claims he will encourage Croatia and
Serbia and Montenegro to fulfil those commitments as soon as
possible so that the association with the EU could proceed
unimpeded.
In Croatia Patten will visit Dubrovnik and Zagreb. On Thursday he is
to meet President Stjepan Mesic, Prime Minister Ivica Racan,
Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, European Integration Minister
Neven Mimica, and parliament president Zlatko Tomcic. He will also
attend sessions of parliament's committees on foreign affairs and
European integration.
(hina) ha sb