ZAGREB SUMMIT'S PLENARY SESSION ENDS - EXTENDED

ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - The Zagreb Summit, which gathered chiefs of state and governments of the European Union and five Southeast Europe countries, wrapped up shortly before 14.00 hours on Friday with the adoption by acclamation of a final declaration which accentuates the individual approach for each of the five states, the need for their regional cooperation, and their status of potential candidates for membership in the EU.#L# "The Union proposes an individualised approach to each of these countries," says the final declaration. "Henceforth, the Heads of State or Government of the five countries concerned (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Macedonia, and Albania) undertake to establish between their countries regional cooperation conventions." These conventions provide for "political dialogue, a regional free trade area and close cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs, in particular for the reinforcement of justice and the independence thereof, for combating organised crime, corruption, money laundering, illegal immigration, trafficking in human beings and all other forms of trafficking." The EU "reaffirms the European perspective of the countries participating in the stabilisation and association process and their status as potential candidates for membership." An annexe to the final document provides a brief individual evaluation of the situation in each country participating in the Stabilisation and Association Process, Croatia included. "The Union commends the scale of the efforts and the success of the reforms embarked upon since the start of this year," says the part of the annexe referring to Croatia. These reforms now "enabled negotiations to be started on a stabilisation and association agreement: we hope they will progress rapidly." When the plenary session ended, Croatia signed the beginning of the negotiations which, according to previous statements by Croatian officials, could wrap up within six months. Macedonia, which initialled the agreement at the end of the session, is called on in the annexe to continue with reforms. Albania, for which the EU has prepared a feasibility study, is also urged to implement reforms. Bosnia is called upon to pursue with efforts to meet by mid-2001 all conditions laid down in last spring's "road map" so that the European Commission may prepare a feasibility study. As regards Yugoslavia, the annexe says the prospect of a stabilisation and association agreement has been established, and that it has been decided to set up a EU-Yugoslavia consultative task force which will work on a feasibility study. The final document also tackles the issue of succession of the former Yugoslav federation: "The European Union notes with satisfaction the first steps towards settling the question of succession of the SFRY and urges the parties concerned to move forward." The EU will soon launch a single Community aid programme for the countries participating in the stabilisation and association process entitled CARDS (Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Democratisation and Stabilisation) with EUR4.65 billion over the period 2000-2006. To the five countries concerned, the Union will extend asymmetric exceptional trade preferences. The declaration stresses that the Summit is being held in Zagreb at a time when "democracy is about to carry the day throughout this region." "The year 2000 began with democratic change in Croatia, following the presidential and legislative elections. It continued with the victory of democratic forces in (Yugoslavia) in the elections of 24 September," says the declaration. The changes give new impetus to the policy of good neighbourliness, respect for international obligations and the rights of minorities, including with regard to UN's war crimes tribunal in The Hague, a lasting solution to the refugee and displaced person issue, and respect for states' international borders. "Democracy and regional reconciliation and cooperation on the one hand, and the rapprochement of each of these countries with the (EU) on the other, form a whole," says the document. The Croatian delegation at the Summit was led by President Stipe Mesic and comprised Prime Minister Ivica Racan, Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, European Integration Minister Ivan Jakovcic, Deputy Foreign Minister Vesna Cvjetkovic-Kurelec and assistant Vladimir Drobnjak. (hina) ha jn