EC URGES CROATIA TO BE CAREFUL REGARDING EXPANSION OF JURISDICTION

BRUSSELS, Sept 24 (Hina) - The European Commission (EC) has urged Croatia to be careful in deciding on expanding jurisdiction in the Adriatic, to take into account other countries' interests and settle disputes through dialogue, and not to make the decision before a Mediterranean conference on fishing in Venice on Nov. 25- 26, a Croatian official said on Wednesday. #L# Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Simonovic headed a Croatian delegation in Brussels which took part in a three-day preparatory meeting to the Venice conference. The meeting reflected the opposite interests of Mediterranean countries. Participants adopted a draft ministerial declaration whose compromise solutions reflect the different views of measures aimed at protecting and managing endangered fish stock in the Mediterranean. The 12-article draft declaration was not distributed among the press. Croatia's delegation was reserved about Article 10, which regulates the proclamation of coastal countries' protected fishing zones. Greece was also reserved about this article, which was left open for consultations with the EC before the Venice conference. Simonovic told reporters Croatia was concerned the procedure Article 10 envisaged for the proclamation of such zones was too complicated and might prove nonviable. Simonovic added that reaching full agreement among all interested parties on the expansion of jurisdiction, as strongly advocated by the EC, might also prove unfeasible. Croatia came to Brussels with its views outlined in the position paper and sticks by them, Simonovic said, adding that the government's decision on the matter would not be easy. (hina) ha