EU MINISTERIAL COUNCIL'S COMMENTS ON CROATIA

BRUSSELS, Nov 16 (Hina) - The European Union's Ministers of Foreign Affairs on Monday accentuated the significance of the upcoming election in Croatia and Croatia's need for conducting the voting successfully in accordance with the accepted European standards. The conclusion on Croatia, which is a part of a public statement on the EU relations with the countries of "the western Balkans", said that at Monday's session in Brussels the EU Council of Ministers expressed expectations that Croatian authorities would conduct a free and fair election and respect its outcome. "Croatia's international and economic credibility depends on free and fair elections," the EU ministers said. The Council also expressed regret at the Croatian Government's failure to take "full account of the international community's recommendations concerning the electoral law and the media law." Stressing the importance it attaches to the full cooperation between Croatia and the Hague-based international war crimes tribunal (ICTY), the EU ministers expressed their concern "about Croatia's unsatisfactory cooperation with ICTY." "The Council regretted the fact that despite the progress made by Croatia, its relations with the European Union have not fulfilled their potential," read the conclusion. "The actual record of Croatia has fallen short of what is expected from countries in transition," the Council assessed. It added that "the near future should reveal Croatia's readiness to take steps necessary to enable the European Union dynamically to develop its relations with Croatia." If it meets the EU's criteria, Croatia "can expect active support for transition from the Union" with a view to the Stabilisation and Association Process. At the end of this part of its public statement the Council said it took note of the report of the European Commission on the recent contacts with Croatian political forces. (hina) ms