EU: WE AREN'T PREPARING ANY STATEMENT ON DEVELOPMENTS IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, Feb 14 (Hina) - The European Union has not drawn up a statement nor is it considering adoption of any one in the wake of the latest developments in Croatia in relation to the case of General Mirko Norac, a spokesman for the European Commission's foreign affairs said on Wednesday. There is no statement on the latest developments in Croatia nor is such statement being prepared. EU restrains itself from commenting on internal affairs relating to the work of judicial bodies, the spokesman Gunnar Wiegand told Hina on the phone. A part of Wednesday's press in Croatia asserts that the Union is considering the possibility of adopting a special statement on the latest political events in Croatia in connection with the "Norac case". Wiegand, however, added that the Union was carefully following the developments spurred by the issuing of a summons to retired General Mirko Norac to appear before the county court in the Adriatic port of Rijeka. Norac is under suspicion of having committed war crimes against civilians in the central town of Gospic in 1991. The Swedish presidency over the Union has also confirmed that currently there are no plans for the preparation of a statement on political developments in Croatia, but the Union will continue following the developments very carefully. According to sources close to the European Commission, the current political situation in Croatia will not affect the dynamics of negotiations Zagreb is conducting with the EU on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). The second round of negotiations is set for 26 and 27 February in Brussels. (hina) ms