ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - Croatia is entering negotiations on a stabilisation and association agreement resolute to wrap them up as soon as possible, and will over the course of next year apply for full membership in the European Union,
Prime Minister Ivica Racan said in Zagreb on Friday.
ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - Croatia is entering negotiations on a
stabilisation and association agreement resolute to wrap them up as
soon as possible, and will over the course of next year apply for
full membership in the European Union, Prime Minister Ivica Racan
said in Zagreb on Friday.#L#
"Croatia embarks on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement
negotiations, determined to bring them to a successful end as soon
as possible, ready to put the advantages offered by the Agreement to
the best possible use... I wish to use this opportunity to announce
that in the course of 2001 Croatia will apply for full membership in
the European Union," Racan said opening the Zagreb-Brussels
negotiations.
The EU Council of Ministers on Nov. 20 bound the European Commission
to begin the negotiations with Croatia which, according to
announcements by domestic officials, could wrap up within six
months.
The negotiations were launched during today's Zagreb Summit of the
EU and five Southeast Europe countries participating in the
Stabilisation and Association Process, Croatia, Bosnia,
Yugoslavia, Macedonia, and Albania.
Racan welcomed EU's decision to launch negotiations which he said
was "an important credit for our democratic achievements and
contribution to regional security and stability. It means a
recognition of Croatia's economic potentials, as well as
acceptance of her European identity."
The SAA will be the first contractual relationship Croatia is
signing with the EU. It is a new form of contractual relations the EU
has intended for five Southeast Europe countries, stressing the
individual approach to each and the need for their regional
cooperation.
"Aware that the Agreement is but one in a series of steps ascending
towards full membership in the European Union, we are prepared to
face all the challenges and obligations, the fulfilment of which
will require full mobilisation of the resources available to
Croatia," Racan said, adding this way "will be neither easy nor
short, but I am convinced that with concerted efforts of us all, as
well as assistance by our partners from the Union, we shall
successfully reach the goal."
"While departing from and insisting on the principle of individual
approach to the European Union, determined to protect her
territorial integrity, Croatia never forgets about her own share of
responsibility for the stability and well-being of the region and
Europe as a whole," the prime minister said.
Racan added Croatia would soon show and prove that it was not a
"potential, but a real candidate for membership."
(hina) ha jn