EU & U.S. ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON WESTERN BALKANS

WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Hina) - The United States and the European Union on Friday issued a joint statement focusing on cooperation in the western Balkans. "Political, civil, and economic instability in some areas of the Western Balkans threatens peace and prosperity in all southeastern Europe and poses serious challenges across Europe and beyond," said the statement, which was issued after a joint summit in Washington of Friday. The statement focuses on the current crisis in the south Yugoslav province of Kosovo. With regard to Croatia and the neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina, the highest ranking representatives of the U.S. and the EU concluded: "We have furthered our cooperation in support of Dayton (peace agreement) implementation in BH, and in Croatia." They called on authorities in the two countries to persist in implementing reached agreements, and contribute to the process of stabilisation and reconciliation. The return of refugees and displaced persons to their pre-war homes was assessed as a priority task. To achieve that, the U.S. and the EU believe new jobs and an all-round economic revival are vital. All countries in the region were called to assist the establishment of a secure and economically stable environment. "We will use our political and economic resources to support those who support these efforts (...) to advance an agenda of democracy, progress towards self-sustaining free market economies, and normal relations with their neighbours," said the statement. (hina) ha