FOREIGN MINISTER: SAA RATIFICATION BEST WAY OF CONCLUDING 2001

ZAGREB/GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Dec 12 (Hina) - Croatia is concluding its foreign affairs activities for 2001 in the best manner possible by the ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) in the European Parliament, Foreign Minister Tonino Picula told Hina Wednesday. #L# "Today's ratification of the SAA in the European Parliament is in line with our expectations. With this, we are concluding the year in the best possible manner as the signing and the ratification of the SAA will in many ways determine Croatia's position on the international scene. Croatian and European parliaments confirmed they were both serious about the SAA as both have ratified the document," said Picula who is currently visiting Bavaria. He added in 2002 Croatia must focus its efforts on the implementation of the SAA and lobbying in EU countries for the ratification of the SAA. Picula said he expected the majority of EU countries to ratify the SAA with Croatia within a year, as "today's ratification of the SAA with Croatia in the European parliament would not have happened without support of European Union member countries." According to Picula, the process of Croatia's integration into Europe is now increasingly becoming a matter of internal affairs. (hina) np sb