EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS REITERATE SUPPORT FOR FREE, FAIR ELECTION

BRUSSELS, Dec 6 (Hina) - The European Union Council of Ministers on Monday reiterated its support for the organisation of a free and fair election in Croatia, stressing this would be of great importance in the further development of the EU-Croatia relations. According to a statement issued after a session in Brussels, the Council reiterates its support for the organisation of a free and fair election, emphasising that the regular implementation of the election process, including an election campaign conducted in a fair manner, as well as adequate international and domestic election monitoring, would be of extreme importance for the development of relations between the EU and Croatia. Recognising that setting the election date is the sovereign right of Croatia, the Council of Ministers expresses regret that the election date is not in accordance with general European practice, it is said in the statement. Also considered at today's session was the question of extending the current autonomous regime of EU trade privileges, which are valid until the end of 1999. The ministers called on the EU Commission to without further delay submit a proposal regarding the renewal and improvement of those trade privileges for Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, so that the Council could adopt decisions by the end of this year. (hina) rml