EU MINISTERS TO ISSUE MANDATE FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITH CROATIA

ZAGREB, Oct 18 (Hina) - The EU Council of Ministers will issue a mandate to the European Commission for the start of talks between Croatia and the European Union on stabilisation and association, the Croatian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday. The EU will issue the mandate at a meeting in Brussels on November 20. This information was relayed to the Croatian side by the European Commission's foreign affairs administration deputy director, Catherine Day, who ended her working visit to Zagreb. Her talks with representatives of Croatian authorities focused on preparations for negotiations between the EU and Croatia on the agreement on stabilisation and association, the official start of which is expected at the EU Zagreb summit on November 24. Both sides assessed preparations for the beginning of talks were progressing well, the Ministry said. Day presented the basic elements of a new financial and technical assistance programme called CARDS, intended for countries included in the stabilisation and association process. Day was informed about reforms and adjustments being carried out in Croatia with the aim of joining the EU. During her working visit to Zagreb, Day met deputy prime minister Slavko Linic and European Integration Minister Ivan Jakovcic. The working meeting was held with foreign minister's assistants Vladimir Drobnjak and Josko Paro, deputy European integration minister Mirjana Mladine and deputy economy minister Neven Mimica. (hina) lml