EXTENDED - EUROPEAN COMMISSION OFFICE RISES TO LEVEL OF DELEGATION

ZAGREB, March 9 (Hina) - Following the signing of an organisation agreement, a delegation of the European Commission was opened in Zagreb Thursday, raising the EC Office to a higher level. The agreement was signed by Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and EC commissioner for foreign affairs Chris Patten, who is currently visiting Croatia. Patten said he was glad to be attending the inauguration of the EC Delegation in Croatia. The opening of the Delegation confirms the increasingly close partnership between the European Union (EU) and Croatia, he said, adding this was possible thanks to the decisions made by the Croatian people and those brought by the Croatian government. We believe the new government shares EU values and is committed to implementing political and economic reforms, Patten said. This is the beginning of the road to Europe and we are happy we shall be making the journey with friends and colleagues in the Croatian government, he added. Patten asserted it would not be easy, but said he was happy he would be part of the endeavour. Foreign Minister Picula thanked Patten for the support the EC was giving Croatia's ambition to become a candidate for membership in the EU. "This event has linked Croatia's desire to fulfil all obligations ahead of a country which wants to be a member of the EU and EU's desire to extend the hand of partnership to Croatia." Picula said he hoped Croatia would by year's end join negotiations on the signing of an agreement on stabilisation and association with the EU. "We think we have done a lot in the past month," he said. Commenting on his visit to Bosnian Serb capital Banja Luka earlier today, Picula asserted "the Croatian voters' message does have an impact after all." "It seems those in our neighbourhood too realise that only a future in Europe can bring recovery from the problems which plagued this region," he said. (hina) ha mm