ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - Opening Friday's Zagreb Summit together with Croatian President Stipe Mesic, French counterpart Jacques Chirac on behalf of the European Union confirmed the "association prospect" for five Southeast Europe
countries covered by the Stabilisation and Association Process. Today's conference provides me with the opportunity to confirm on behalf of the European Union that prospect for the region's five countries, on the basis of the European Union Contract, the respect of political and economic criteria from Copenhagen, and the progress that will be made in the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, especially in the field of regional cooperation, Chirac said. Today we celebrate democracy, humanism, the respect for the other. These are values to which all the peoples represented here aspire, he told the chiefs of state or government of 15 EU member states and coun
ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - Opening Friday's Zagreb Summit together
with Croatian President Stipe Mesic, French counterpart Jacques
Chirac on behalf of the European Union confirmed the "association
prospect" for five Southeast Europe countries covered by the
Stabilisation and Association Process.
Today's conference provides me with the opportunity to confirm on
behalf of the European Union that prospect for the region's five
countries, on the basis of the European Union Contract, the respect
of political and economic criteria from Copenhagen, and the
progress that will be made in the implementation of the
Stabilisation and Association Agreement, especially in the field
of regional cooperation, Chirac said.
Today we celebrate democracy, humanism, the respect for the other.
These are values to which all the peoples represented here aspire,
he told the chiefs of state or government of 15 EU member states and
countries covered by the Stabilisation and Association Process -
Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Albania, and the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Speaking about the democratic changes which occurred in the region,
Chirac emphasised the fall of Yugoslav president Slobodan
Milosevic.
On behalf of the European Union, I want to tell again all countries
in South-East Europe who have gathered with us: Your place, your
future is within the European family, which as of today is more
united and therefore stronger, Chirac said.
The President of France, which chairs the EU in this half of the
year, said each country was suggested true individualised
partnership in the process of stabilisation and association, which
defines stages to be covered and reforms to be made.
The individual approach is closely linked with the development of
regional cooperation, Chirac said, adding the affirmation of
democracy, reconciliation and regional cooperation were
inseparable elements in the process of drawing closer to the EU.
The French president emphasised the EU wanted all five South-East
European countries to conclude among themselves conventions on
regional cooperation, which would enable the establishment of
political dialogue, free trade zones, and a close cooperation in
the area of justice and internal affairs.
(hina) jn rml