ZAGREB, Nov 5 (Hina) - The government believes the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union has no alternative with regard to Croatia's strategic commitment to joining the EU, but calls on those thinking
otherwise to state so clearly, Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Monday.
ZAGREB, Nov 5 (Hina) - The government believes the Stabilisation
and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union has no
alternative with regard to Croatia's strategic commitment to
joining the EU, but calls on those thinking otherwise to state so
clearly, Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Monday.#L#
"There is rarely such a high degree of consensus as to Croatia's
wish to join the EU. There is no more natural environment for
Croatia than the EU, even though we don't idealise the EU and are
aware it has a series of issues it has to settle. By joining the EU,
Croatia wishes to enrich the Union by introducing its
characteristics," said Racan.
Talking to reporters about the recently signed SAA, he reminded
that Croatia had made a commitment to be ready for full membership
in the EU by the end of 2006.
"We then don't want the moment of becoming a full member to depend on
Croatia, i.e. its preparedness, but only on the strategy of the
European Union's development and expansion," he said.
Asked when Croatia would submit a request for full membership, the
PM said: "We will assess when is the best moment for submitting the
request together with partners in the European Union, which depends
also on the success of the implementation of the SAA. If it will be
in a year or two, we shall see."
European Integration Minister Neven Mimica said the incumbent
government intended to implement during its mandate the majority of
more than 300 measures from an SAA implementation plan.
Last week's consultations with the Union's representatives paid
special attention to Croatia's political and economic stability
and this is something the EU is interested in and which is closely
linked to the successful implementation of the SAA, said Racan.
He announced he would request the ruling coalition at its next
meeting, probably later this week, to clearly state if they were
willing to bear the brunt in the second half of the government's
mandate to ensure the success of the SAA.
"I will ask if we shall stop addressing secondary political issues
which are wasting this government's energy and time. I will ask for
a firm stand of all the ruling coalition members as it is extremely
important for Croatia's political stability, and is the subject of
interest of the European Union," said Racan.
Commenting on doubts among Croatia's politicians, Minister Mimica
reiterated that neither the contents nor spirit of the SAA in any
way pushed Croatia into new Balkan associations.
"Under the SAA, Croatia must sign within two years a bilateral
convention on cooperation with the states which have already signed
the SAA. For the time being this is only Macedonia. It must also
develop good neighbourly relations and thus contribute to the
stabilisation of the region. Bilateral conventions are actually
umbrella agreements covering certain fields of cooperation.
Croatia has already signed with neighbours a series of agreements
on cooperation in various fields, which contributes to the
implementation of the SAA," said Mimica.
He added: "There will be a transitional committee to supervise the
implementation of the Transitional Agreement which enforces the
SAA's trade provisions. However, neither the decisions of that
committee Nor those of the stabilisation and association council
when it is established will have executive power in Croatian
legislation before verification in the (Croatian parliament) when
it comes to laws, or in the government when it comes to bylaws."
Mimica said Croatia would appoint its members to the committee by
the end of November. They will be ministers, and on EU's side
commissioners.
Racan announced a misunderstanding with Italy over a contentious
decoration to the 1943 Italian administration of the Croatian
seaport of Zadar should be resolved this week.
Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, addressing the same press
conference, said Croatian and Italian experts would meet this week
to settle differences over the final version of a friendship and
cooperation agreement between the two states. The agreement could
then be signed.
(hina) ha