CEI SUMMIT STRESSES INTENSIFIED & CONCRETE COOPERATION WITH EU

ZAGREB, Nov 21 (Hina) - The second and closing day of a summit of Central European Initiative (CEI) countries taking place in Zagreb began with the first ad hoc meeting between the chairman of the European Union (EU) and the CEI troika. According to Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic, several conclusions were reached. These include the necessity of having a regular annual meeting between the EU chairman and the CEI troika, achieving lasting communication and cooperation in concrete projects between the CEI and the European Commission (EC), and strengthening cooperation between all CEI member-countries and the EU. The "historic" first meeting was attended by EU chairman Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel, and the foreign ministers of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and the Czech Republic, as the former, current, and future CEI presiding country. "The first conclusion of today's ad hoc meeting is to try to organise a regular meeting between the EU and the CEI troika every year," said Granic. It was also concluded it was necessary to establish permanent communication and cooperation between the CEI, on the level of national coordinators and the CEI secretariat, and the EC with regard to concrete projects in transport, communications, and fighting organised crime. "All these activities are directed at expanding the EU and at cooperation of CEI member-countries with it, and not at separation between the EU and certain CEI members," said Granic. Schuessel recalled that sometimes the EU was quick in acting, as evidenced by the fact that an agreement that it open official dialogue with the CEI was reached six months ago at a CEI ministerial meeting on the Brijuni Isles. "There is an absolute necessity for political dialogue with the CEI, which is a unique organisation, since it includes two countries which are already members of the EU, seven countries negotiating their access to the EU, and another seven with special arrangements for cooperation in the economic, political, and other fields," said Schuessel, and commended Croatia for realising the initiative. Schuessel pointed out division must not be allowed between CEI countries which are candidates for access to the EU, and those which are not. Regular annual meetings between the two organisations would be of great help in this respect, he added. (hina) ha