ZAGREB, April 4 (Hina) - Croatia's talks with the European Union on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) will be completed in early May, a month before the planned deadline, and the agreement itself should be initialled by
the end of May, Croatia's chief negotiator with the EU, Neven Mimica, said in the Croatian parliament on Wednesday.
ZAGREB, April 4 (Hina) - Croatia's talks with the European Union on
a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) will be completed
in early May, a month before the planned deadline, and the agreement
itself should be initialled by the end of May, Croatia's chief
negotiator with the EU, Neven Mimica, said in the Croatian
parliament on Wednesday. #L#
It is expected that the SAA will be signed in October this year and
go into force after its ratification by EU and Croatian
parliaments, Mimica said presenting a Report on the course of
negotiations on the Agreement. By the end of 2006, Croatia should be
ready for full EU membership, Mimica said, adding he considered
this a realistic and stimulating goal.
The Croatian government has been demonstrating determination to
remove obstacles to its integration in the EU and leave the state of
its long-lasting isolation, Mimica said.
It is a huge success that EU membership will be based on individual
abilities and adjustment to EU criteria. There has been no pressure
on Croatia to enter some regional associations but the country has
only been urged to establish bilateral regional cooperation in the
fields of trade and economy, Mimica said.
About 80 percent of the SAA has already been agreed on, and the
remaining key issues refer to the liberalisation of EU imports and
ownership rights for EU citizens over real estate in Croatia, he
added.
The doors to the tariffs-free import of Croatian products to the EU
have been opened. Croatia will benefit from this more than it will
feel the initial, adverse effect of the liberalisation of the
domestic market, he said.
Croatia's admission to the EU is supported by as many as 80 percent
of citizens, the chief negotiator said, adding admission was not a
goal per se, but a way for Croatia to realise its own interests.
Conditions are being created for what will be the most
comprehensive reforms in the country and we are facing a major
challenge as well as responsibility not to let the greatest
opportunity of this generation pass, Mimica concluded.
After Mimica's address, the parliament continued the debate on the
Report.
(hina) rml