EU WELCOMES IMPROVED RELATIONS BETWEEN ZAGREB AND BELGRADE

BRUSSELS, Jan 28 (Hina) - The ratification of the Interim Agreement between the European Union and Croatia is an important step for Croatia in the Stabilisation and Association Process and the EU welcomes improvements in relations between Zagreb and Belgrade and Sarajevo and Belgrade, read conclusions on the Western Balkans adopted by the European Union's Council of Ministers at a meeting in Brussels on Monday. ?he conclusions welcome signs of a steady improvement in relations between Belgrade and Zagreb, which has been proved with the signing of several bilateral agreements. The EU encourages the two countries to continue developing their relations, the EU Ministers say. The Council of Ministers is also satisfied with the improvement of relations between Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Ministers remind about the importance of further progress and stress that the state level is the most adequate level for cooperation between the two countries, which they say should be taken into account with regard to relations between Yugoslavia and Republika Srpska, in line with the Dayton Accords. They also call on Belgrade, Zagreb and Sarajevo to settle all issues regarding refugee return. EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten also warned Belgrade that cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal and the hand-over of all indictees remained a precondition for the EU's significant support to the country. The EU Ministers today also discussed taking over the tasks of international police forces in Bosnia from the U.N. at the end of the year. The EU sees the operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina as the first sign of operability of its mechanism for crisis management within the European security and defence policy. The policy is aimed at the establishment of a self-sustainable police force in Bosnia-Herzegovina in line with European and international standards and practice, read the conclusions. It is also added that the EU mission would control police training and inspections and provide technical assistance. The mission would be open to participation in operations in the third countries and probably be financed with EU funds for foreign policy and security, through the CARDS programme, and by EU member-countries. The final decision on the organisation and financing of the EU police mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina as of January 1, 2003 would be discussed at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers in mid- February. The EU Foreign Ministers have confirmed that the donor conference for Macedonia will be held on March 12 and voiced concern about the stalemate in the organisation of bodies of authority after the parliamentary election in Kosovo. (hina) rml