BRUSSELS, Dec 11 (Hina) - Six European Union nations which will be its rotating chairs over the next three years have drawn up a strategic programme which says that the decision on Croatia's membership application will be made next
June.
BRUSSELS, Dec 11 (Hina) - Six European Union nations which will be
its rotating chairs over the next three years have drawn up a
strategic programme which says that the decision on Croatia's
membership application will be made next June. #L#
Ireland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the UK, Austria, and Finland
have forwarded the document to the Committee of Permanent
Representatives, which is comprised of member countries'
ambassadors to the EU seat in Brussels. The Committee has been
requested to examine the document and notify the Council of the EU.
A chapter on the new geographic framework mentions three applicant
countries -- Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey as well as Croatia.
Key dates in the next three years include June 2004, when the
European Council should decide on Croatia's membership
application.
Bulgaria and Romania are expected to complete access negotiations
towards the end of 2004, when a decision should also be made on
whether Turkey meets terms to start membership negotiations.
(hina) ha sb