MINISTER: CROATIA WILL BENEFIT FROM RATIFYING SAA IN THE LONG RUN

ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - In the long run Croatia will undoubtedly benefit from the ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union, European Integration Minister Neven Mimica said at the end of Tuesday's parliamentary debate on a bill on the ratification of the Agreement. MPs of the ruling coalition's five parties supported the ratification, maintaining the implementation of the Agreement would accelerate Croatia's economic development. Representatives of the opposition had a different view, stating the Agreement did not guarantee Croatia would join the EU and might lead to the creation of new Balkan associations. Mimica resolutely dismissed such claims, saying the Agreement contained no legal grounds for any such associations at all. "Quite the contrary, if we didn't ratify this Agreement, we would remain on the Western Balkans and close the door to the EU," he said. Zlatko Canjuga of the HND said the ruling coalition was realising the historical mission of former President Franjo Tudjman, who he said would have given a lot to have been able to sign the Agreement but could not due to then current circumstances. MPs of the opposition's Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and Party of Rights (HSP) reproached the government for not holding a wider public debate before signing the Agreement and a referendum at which the citizens would state their position on the ratification. (hina) ha