E. COMMISSION ADOPTS THREE-YEAR ASSISTANCE PLAN FOR CROATIA

ZAGREB, Dec 19 (Hina) - The European Commission on Tuesday adopted an EUR191 million plan of assistance for Croatia for the next three years, to cover five areas, the European Commission's Delegation in Croatia reported on Wednesday. "On the 18th December, the European Commission adopted a five-year strategy for its financial assistance to Croatia. At the same time, it announced that over the next three years, 2002-2004, EUR191 million has been earmarked for Croatia to finance this strategy," the statement said. The strategy's priorities "are democratic stabilisation, economic and social development, justice and home affairs, administrative capacity building, environment and natural resources. These are key goals of the Stabilisation and Association Process, the cornerstone of the EU's policy towards the western Balkans," the statement reads. The assistance has been granted within the framework of the CARDS programme. The European Union has earmarked 4.65 million euros for countries in the region until 2006. The CARDS programme supports the participation of Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia and Yugoslavia in the Stabilisation and Association Process. Croatia having signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, the CARDS will assist it in fulfilling all obligations it has assumed with the Agreement, the statement says. (hina) lml