SKOPJE HOSTING FORUM ON EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

SKOPJE, March 15 (Hina) - Regional cooperation, institutional links and economic development are the topics of a forum on the European integration of its Southeast the Macedonian capital of Skopje is hosting on Saturday and Sunday as part of preparations for the European Union's June summit in Salonika. #L# Attending the event are representatives of countries participating in the Stabilisation and Association Process, candidates for EU membership, the current and next EU chair -- Greece and Italy -- and the European Commission. Representing Croatia is European Integration Minister Neven Mimica. During Saturday's discussion, the participants advocated an individual approach for each country. The EU would considerably help aspiring members by making its financial and technical resources even more available, they said. Mimica and Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Radmila Sekerinska signed a memorandum on cooperation in preparations for European integration. (hina) ha sb