PORTO CARRAS, June 21 (Hina) - Regional cooperation among the five Stabilisation and Association process (SAp) countries is absolutely important, not for historical, but practical reasons. However, this does not mean all five
countries will join the EU simultaneously, European Commission head Romano Prodi said Saturday.
PORTO CARRAS, June 21 (Hina) - Regional cooperation among the five
Stabilisation and Association process (SAp) countries is
absolutely important, not for historical, but practical reasons.
However, this does not mean all five countries will join the EU
simultaneously, European Commission head Romano Prodi said
Saturday. #L#
"Regional cooperation is absolutely important and when I say this,
I don't mean historic ties among the Balkan countries, but
practical issues which can only be solved through regional
cooperation, i.e. the return of refugees or the struggle against
organised crime," Prodi told a news conference after today's EU-
Western Balkans Summit in Porto Carras, some 100km south of
Thessaloniki.
Regional cooperation does not necessarily connote the entry of all
five countries in the EU in a package, at the same time, Prodi
stressed. Each country will be appraised according to their
individual results and abilities to meet required criteria, he
said, adding that he warmly applauded Croatia's submitting its
candidature for EU membership.
Chairman of the European Council, Greek Prime Minister Costas
Simitis, said the main purpose of the Summit was to show the EU's
determination to make the five SAp countries members as soon as they
meet the Copenhagen criteria and implement the necessary social,
economic and institutional reforms.
A joint declaration adopted by the heads of 15 EU members, 10
countries which will become members next year and the five SAp
countries relays a similar message.
The European Union reiterates its unequivocal support to the
European future of Western Balkan countries, says the
declaration.
The document emphasises the importance of the adoption of the
Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans, which presents a new
important step in privileged relations between the EU and the
countries of the Western Balkans.
The declaration also says Croatia has submitted its application for
membership in the EU, which the European Commission is currently
deliberating.
(hina) lml sb