ZAGREB, Dec 13 (Hina) - The European Commission (EC) has commended the presentation of Croatia's progress in the first year of implementing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) signed with the European Union (EU),
European Integration Minister Neven Mimica said in Zagreb on Friday.
ZAGREB, Dec 13 (Hina) - The European Commission (EC) has commended
the presentation of Croatia's progress in the first year of
implementing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA)
signed with the European Union (EU), European Integration Minister
Neven Mimica said in Zagreb on Friday. #L#
Mimica made the presentation to representatives of all relevant EC
directorates and officials of EU nations in Brussels on Wednesday.
"We have announced that we shall apply for membership during
Greece's presidency of the EU" in the first half of next year, he
told reporters.
He added the application could be expected as early as February, by
which time he expects Croatia to meet a hefty share of political
requirements, which are the basic criterion to apply for full EU
membership.
The European officials said in Brussels that what was important for
Croatia at this moment was how it was implementing the SAA, whereas
whether it was a potential or full candidate was secondary, said
Mimica.
"The presentation of Croatia's progress in SAA implementation was
given a positive assessment... It was well-received and assessed
that we are making good progress," he said.
The minister recalled Croatia aspired to becoming a EU membership
candidate in 2004 and a full member by 2006.
The countries of Europe's south-east participating in the
Stabilisation and Association Process expect the EU's
encouragement not to be mere verbal support, but that it will devise
new development programmes and funds as soon as possible, said
Mimica.
He maintains the next such meeting, to be held in Salonika, would be
an ideal opportunity to conceive a new joint European initiative
based on each country's individual achievements.
(hina) ha sb