HOMBACH, PICULA SURE ZAGREB SUMMIT WILL BE A SUCCESS

ZAGREB, Oct 20 (Hina) - November's Zagreb summit is expected to be successful as it will open negotiations on Croatia's access to the EU, and provide a new, European prospect for Croatia and the countries in the region. This is the joint estimate made by Croatia's Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and the special coordinator for the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, Bodo Hombach, during Friday's talks in Zagreb, the foreign ministry said in a statement. "Bodo Hombach and Tonino Picula agreed in estimating that the Zagreb Summit will be a success not only because of the start of negotiations between... Croatia and the European Union on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, but also because of a new, European prospect for Croatia and the countries in the region," said the statement. Hombach attended the opening of the Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre near Zagreb, and took the opportunity to hold talks with Picula. During recent talks in Belgrade with Yugoslavia's new President Vojislav Kostunica, Hombach stressed that post-election Yugoslavia's return to the international community and international financial assistance would be made conditional on further democratisation there, said the statement. Minister Picula said Croatia would cooperate with democratic forces in Yugoslavia, and that the scope of cooperation would depend on their determination to implement political reforms. Of key importance for the cooperation is finding a solution to the issues of succession to the former Yugoslav federation and the relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina. (hina) ha