ROME, March 9 (Hina) - Chairman of the European Commission Romano Prodi said Saturday at an Alpe-Adria Council that, despite the fact it is not a candidate for entry into the EU, Croatia could access it as full member even before some
countries which are already candidates. The Council on expanding the European Union, which the Croatian European Integration Minister Neven Mimica attended, was organised in Venice by Veneto region which is also chairing the Alpe-Adria working community. Mimica said Croatia will fulfil 75 percent of its obligations from the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU by the end of 2003, and then become a candidate for entering the EU. Prodi and Podesta, the European Parliament deputy president, urged Croatia to speed up the fulfilment of its commitments and, with more courage, face certain issues related to fulfilling obligations towards the EU. They said they will help Zag
ROME, March 9 (Hina) - Chairman of the European Commission Romano
Prodi said Saturday at an Alpe-Adria Council that, despite the fact
it is not a candidate for entry into the EU, Croatia could access it
as full member even before some countries which are already
candidates.
The Council on expanding the European Union, which the Croatian
European Integration Minister Neven Mimica attended, was organised
in Venice by Veneto region which is also chairing the Alpe-Adria
working community.
Mimica said Croatia will fulfil 75 percent of its obligations from
the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU by the end
of 2003, and then become a candidate for entering the EU.
Prodi and Podesta, the European Parliament deputy president, urged
Croatia to speed up the fulfilment of its commitments and, with more
courage, face certain issues related to fulfilling obligations
towards the EU. They said they will help Zagreb in overcoming
difficulties.
(hina) np sb