EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS WELCOMES PROGRESS IN CROATIA

LUXEMBOURG, June 13 (Hina) - After it approved the opening of talks with Croatia on Tuesday, the European Union Council of Ministers welcomed in its conclusions Croatia's progress in a number of politically sensitive areas, as well as the first steps it has made in structural economic reforms. The Council also encouraged the new Croatian government to continue investing efforts in all areas. The Council welcomes the recent progress in the return of displaced persons and refugees, Croatia's full cooperation with the Hague tribunal, regional cooperation and media democratisation, as well as the country's first steps on the line of structural economic reforms. The Council considered opening talks with Croatia on Tuesday within a broader item on relations between the European Union and countries of the western Balkans. The Council's conclusions on this item emphasise support for Stability Pact activities and welcome the results of a recent Stability Pact regional table in Salonika as well as the results of the May conference in Ancona on starting the process of Adriatic-Ionian cooperation. Chris Patten, a European Commission member in charge of foreign affairs, informed the ministers about a proposal on special trade benefits for countries in the region, including Croatia, which was prepared by the EC on the basis of conclusions adopted by the EU summit in Lisbon. Patten asked that the proposal be adopted by the Council of Ministers as soon as possible. (hina) mm rml