SAA EXECUTION PLAN UPLOADED ON CROATIAN MINISTRY WEB SITE

ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) - The Croatian European Integration Ministry has created a web-page dedicated to the execution plan of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Croatia and the EU on the ministry's Internet site. The SAA was adopted by the government on Thursday. The web-page specifies measures Croatia must implement by 2006 in order to achieve its goal of joining European associations. The plan envisages 338 measures which need to be executed for fulfilling obligations the country will be assuming as soon as the agreement is signed next week. Concrete deadlines and appointees for certain tasks are also published. The ministry states on its Internet site that this is the first operative document specifying measures necessary for a successful fulfilment of obligations. The introduction says "the ability of the Republic of Croatia to fulfil the obligations assumed with the Agreement is the most important criterion based on which its readiness for further progress towards full membership will be evaluated. The fulfilment of the obligations taken over from the Agreement is the start of comprehensive radical reforms of the state administration and society as a whole for adjusting to the legal, economic and political standards of the European Union". "This job must be considered a joint effort of the entire society and be implemented through team work involving all state administration bodies and other factors," the web-page reads. The European Integration Ministry has also published a Communication Strategy to inform the Croatian public about Croatia's rapprochement to European associations. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement will come into effect pursuant to its ratification by the Croatian Parliament, the European Parliament and the parliaments of 15 countries, which may be expected in approximately two years. In the meantime, a temporary agreement will be in effect as of January 1, 2002. (hina) lml