ZG SUMMIT: HOLDING OF SUMMIT INDICATIVE OF CROATIA'S PROGRESS

ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - The fact that the summit of the European Union and countries of Southeast Europe is taking place in Zagreb indicates how much Croatia has progressed in only one year, European Commission president Romano Prodi said on Friday opening the Zagreb Summit. It is Croatia that has paved the way for democratic reforms in the region, said Prodi.#L# The EU has undertaken the Stabilisation and Association Process to the region for approaching European structures, acknowledging that each and all countries are candidates for membership in the EU, he said. Prodi stressed the EU was aware that each country was different and would adapt access to the circumstances in each. We shall do everything to help you adopt European standards, we shall give you technological skills and technical assistance, but the pace of the progress will depend on you, said Prodi. The region's countries must invest efforts, but the EU is willing to assist, he said, reminding the EU had opened its market, the CARDS programme, assistance to Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia. Prodi was satisfied with today's beginning of Croatia-EU negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, and the initialling of the agreement with Macedonia. He announced the formation of teams to prepare Albania for negotiations, and in the future for Yugoslavia and Bosnia. The EU will allocate substantial means for the process and expects the countries in the region to mutually cooperate, contribute to the Adriatic-Ionian initiative, the promotion of free trade, and fighting organised crime, corruption, the smuggling of people, and illegal immigration. Prodi also urged a fast establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries in the region. (hina) ha jn