ZAGREB, July 15 (Hina) - A strategic objective of Croatia's foreign policy is be granted the status of a full member in the European Union, said Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa on Thursday.
ZAGREB, July 15 (Hina) - A strategic objective of Croatia's foreign
policy is be granted the status of a full member in the European
Union, said Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa on Thursday.#L#
The Government today accepted a plan of integration activities of
Croatia toward the membership in the EU, giving thus a framework for
conducting and co-ordinating activities in the field of political,
economic and judicial adjustments necessary in the integration
process.
Foreign Minister Mate Granic said the plan was the necessary basis
for Croatia's integration into the EU. He added that there were
political conditions for that, and Croatia maintained that the
fulfilment of those conditions was in its interest.
A consensus between the ruling and opposition parties on the
election legislation and on the transformation of the Croatian
Radio and Television (HRT) would be the most important step in a
dialogue with the European Union, Granic said.
Another two conditions he cited are the cooperation with the
International War Crimes Tribunal (ICTY), and the return of
refugees and displaced people.
Granic reiterated that Finland, holding now the EU rotating
presidency, had invited him and Integration Minister Ljerka Mintas
Hodak for the first informal meeting on July 20 in Brussels. The
meeting would be preparations for the beginning of negotiations
between Croatia and the EU on the Agreement on Stability and
Admission.
"I believe that formal negotiations between Croatia and the EU will
be open in early autumn," Granic added.
The plan, drawn up by the Office for European Integration is a
strategic document of the Government, showing the orientation
toward a speedier approach to the EU, Ljerka Mintas Hodak said.
(hina) jn ms