DUBROVNIK, May 16 (Hina) - In late May, the European Union is expected to endorse a so-called feasibility study, which should be confirmed by the European Union's Council of Ministers in June, which will open a process of negotiations
on the agreement on stabilisation and association between Croatia and the European Union, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said in the southern Adriatic town of Dubrovnik Tuesday. This is an epochal step which will, in a short time, lead to Croatia's association with the European Union, Picula said after he and Croatian Minister for European Integration Ivan Jakovcic held talks with European Commissioner for Foreign Policy Christopher Patten. The main topic of the meeting between Picula, Jakovcic and Patten was a long term definition of the cooperation system and technical and financial help of the European Union to Croatia. After the talks
DUBROVNIK, May 16 (Hina) - In late May, the European Union is
expected to endorse a so-called feasibility study, which should be
confirmed by the European Union's Council of Ministers in June,
which will open a process of negotiations on the agreement on
stabilisation and association between Croatia and the European
Union, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said in the southern
Adriatic town of Dubrovnik Tuesday.
This is an epochal step which will, in a short time, lead to
Croatia's association with the European Union, Picula said after he
and Croatian Minister for European Integration Ivan Jakovcic held
talks with European Commissioner for Foreign Policy Christopher
Patten.
The main topic of the meeting between Picula, Jakovcic and Patten
was a long term definition of the cooperation system and technical
and financial help of the European Union to Croatia.
After the talks, Patten said this was his third visit to Croatia
after the election of the new Government, which is the sign that the
European Union was interested in the establishment and development
and of firm relations with Croatia.
He added that the European Union knew how to recognise the
enthusiasm in the moves of the new Croatian Government, after
Croatians chose the path toward democracy and open market economy.
We are aware that this seeks some difficult decisions because
Croatia has to solve issues which had pilled up during the past
years, Patten said and added the European Union was determined to
support the Croatian Government in every sense, particularly in the
building of a modern market economy and approaching the European
Union.
Picula said the talks with Patten were conducted in a new,
encouraging political atmosphere. He said that in the next several
months, a programme of development of small and medium
entrepreneurship, which is expected to find understanding of the
European Commission and the European Union, would be drafted.
Picula added the European Union expected Croatia that, as its
future associated member, continue its positive influence on
political processes in the region.
(hina) it jn