EC ADOPTS FIRST ANNUAL REPORT ON STABILISATION, ASSOCIATION PROCESS

ZAGREB/BRUSSELS, April 4 (Hina) - The European Commission on Wednesday adopted its first annual report on the Process of Stabilisation and Association, which includes Croatia, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, Macedonia and Albania, the EC said in a statement on Thursday. #L# The report should be made public in the next several days. According to the statement, the EC has proposed the intensification of political dialogue with countries participating in the Process and of regional cooperation through the establishment of a new political forum. The forum would include regular ministerial meetings of politicians from the region and European Union, who would discuss key issues of common interest. The meetings would give a clear signal on relations between the countries included in the Process and contribute to regional cooperation and better understanding of the Stabilisation and Association Process. The first annual report of the EC includes an assessment of progress made by each country and the whole process of stabilisation and association. The report notes significant progress that has been achieved over the past few years as well as problems and areas where individual countries and the European Union should take additional action. The EU believes that every country participating in the Process is a potential candidate for EU membership. Long-term principles of the Process include assistance to every country on the road of political and economic reforms and integration with the EU, in line with experience earned in the process of enlargement. (hina) rml