BRUSSELS, April 3 (Hina) - A Sabor delegation on Monday held talks with the European Parliament's delegation for South-East Europe, on the political and economic situation in Croatia in the wake of the parliamentary and presidential
elections and on Zagreb's bids to come closer to the European Union. This meeting in Brussels was a part of the cooperation between the European and the Croatian national parliament. At this eight interparliamentary meeting, European parliamentarians, led by the head of the delegation for South-East Europe, German Democrat Christian Doris Pack, announced their intention to "speed up" the European Commission and the EU Council of Ministers to take concrete steps in the process of Croatia's admission to the EU. One of such steps should be the commencement of negotiations, in the near future, on the agreement on stabilisation and association. Croatia's representati
BRUSSELS, April 3 (Hina) - A Sabor delegation on Monday held talks
with the European Parliament's delegation for South-East Europe,
on the political and economic situation in Croatia in the wake of
the parliamentary and presidential elections and on Zagreb's bids
to come closer to the European Union.
This meeting in Brussels was a part of the cooperation between the
European and the Croatian national parliament.
At this eight interparliamentary meeting, European
parliamentarians, led by the head of the delegation for South-East
Europe, German Democrat Christian Doris Pack, announced their
intention to "speed up" the European Commission and the EU Council
of Ministers to take concrete steps in the process of Croatia's
admission to the EU. One of such steps should be the commencement of
negotiations, in the near future, on the agreement on stabilisation
and association.
Croatia's representatives reiterated that their country needed the
financial assistance of the EU to carry out economic and other
reforms and their European colleagues agreed with them.
They also discussed initiatives which the European Parliament may
launch to help implement the European Union programmes of
assistance for south-eastern European countries (such as Phare,
CARS or CARA.)
They also advocated the making of necessary political decisions in
Brussels that will make it possible for the European Investment
Bank (EIB) to assist Croatia.
The Croatian delegation, led by Ivo Skrabalo, consisted of MPs -
Petar Turcinovic, Zdravka Busic, Anto Djapic, Tibor Santo and
Zdravko Tomac.
During their first day of the stay in Brussels, Croatians and their
hosts considered the situation in the Croatian media and problems
regarding refugee returns. The meeting is to resume on Tuesday.
The Croatian delegation will also meet officials of the European
Commission during their visit to Brussels.
(hina) ms