ZAGREB, May 26 (Hina) - The European Commission on Wednesday decided to countries of regional approach, including Croatia, offer a possibility of a new form of contractual relations -- the Stabilisation and Association Agreement
(SAA). Such a form of relations will draw countries in the region to an opportunity to access European union structures, European Commission Office in Croatia said in a statement. The EC in Brussels on Wednesday adopted operative conclusions based on the recent report on the situation in countries included in the regional approach (Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Albania and FR Yugoslavia). The start of negotiations on the SAA will be different for each country and will depend on the fulfilment of relevant conditions, which remain unchanged, the EC said. Conditions for drawing closer to the EU for every mentioned country have been set in April 1997 with the so-called re
ZAGREB, May 26 (Hina) - The European Commission on Wednesday
decided to countries of regional approach, including Croatia,
offer a possibility of a new form of contractual relations -- the
Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA).
Such a form of relations will draw countries in the region to an
opportunity to access European union structures, European
Commission Office in Croatia said in a statement.
The EC in Brussels on Wednesday adopted operative conclusions based
on the recent report on the situation in countries included in the
regional approach (Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia,
Albania and FR Yugoslavia).
The start of negotiations on the SAA will be different for each
country and will depend on the fulfilment of relevant conditions,
which remain unchanged, the EC said.
Conditions for drawing closer to the EU for every mentioned country
have been set in April 1997 with the so-called regional approach.
Negotiations with Croatia on the SAA will begin when the set
conditions are fulfilled.
In order to lift sanctions on the PHARE programme, Croatia should
achieve further democratic progress, particularly in the areas of
media, electoral reform and the return of refugees. The European
Commission is hoping the progress in the fulfilment of the
conditions to strengthen relations with the EU could be achieved by
the next report on the situation in Croatia in 1999, the statement
said.
The Office will, at the right moment, prepare a report on the
possibility of beginning the talks about the SAA.
Croatia will be provided additional assistance for the development
of democracy, economic rehabilitation of areas of return and the
development of education.
In the meantime, Croatia should continue to enjoy the special trade
preferencials with the EU.
The European Commission operative conclusions will be forwarded
for adoption to the EU Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels on
May 31.
The initiation of the SAA has the goal of promoting the existing
regional approach of the EU, towards the five countries of the
south-east of Europe.
This process will become a part of the EU's joint strategy towards
the western Balkans and will represent an important part of the EU's
contribution to the suggested Stability Pact for south-east
Europe.
(hina) lml jn