ZAGREB DECLARATION TO INTRODUCE STATUS OF POTENTIAL CANDIDATE?

ZAGREB, Nov 23 (Hina) - At first glance there are no big differences between the version of the Zagreb Summit's declaration, which the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) on Thursday circulated among reporters, and a later version of the final document which was given to reporters at the Summit's press centre on Thursday afternoon. However, there are more significant and perhaps substantial differences in some formulations. Most differences between the version, which the HDZ obtained, and the draft document circulated among reporters at the press centre seem to be of editorial nature. Two differences, however, attract the attention of readers. According to the 'HDZ' version, the first paragraph labels Bodo Hombach as the EU special envoy for the Balkans, while the version of the press centre reads "the EU special envoy who acts as the Stability Pact Coordinator." In the context of discussions whether tomorrow's Summit should be viewed as a step forward to Europe or Croatia's return to the Balkans, such a difference can be important for an official document, although EU official circles have reiterated several times that the term 'western Balkans' is used only as a geographical notion. Even a more substantial difference lies in the fourth point of the document referring to the opening of the road for all countries in the region, making it easier for them to enter the EU. The draft declaration, circulated by the HDZ, reads that the EU confirms the European prospects of countries covered by the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) as potential candidates for membership, while the press centre's version underlines that their status of potential candidates is confirmed. The noun 'status' envisages more institutionalised relations towards candidates, and in the future it may mean that there are greater prospects for admission into the EU. It is diplomatic practice to draw up a series of versions before a final document is compiled, and there can be significant differences among drafts which are the matter of negotiations. Only the final draft, i.e. the officially published document is treated as the official stand. According to diplomatic sources in the Croatian capital, the final version of the Zagreb Summit's document will be made public on Friday in three languages: Croatian, English and French. The declaration in each of these languages will be considered as the official version. (hina) jn ms