ZAGREB/BRUSSELS, March 30 (Hina) - With the publication of an annual report on progress made by countries covered by the Stabilisation and Association process (SAp), the European Commission on Tuesday proposed the establishment of new
partnership with those south-eastern European countries in order to help them in carrying out political and economic reforms on their path towards the European Union.
ZAGREB/BRUSSELS, March 30 (Hina) - With the publication of an annual
report on progress made by countries covered by the Stabilisation and
Association process (SAp), the European Commission on Tuesday proposed
the establishment of new partnership with those south-eastern European
countries in order to help them in carrying out political and economic
reforms on their path towards the European Union.#L#
The new partnership is envisaged for Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Macedonia and Serbia-Montenegro, and defines short-term and
medium-term priorities on their road towards EU full membership.
The European Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten, said
that progress in the said countries was slower than expected.
The south-eastern European countries could make headway towards their
possible membership in the Union only if they reach European
standards, Patten said.
The report covering Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia and
Serbia-Montenegro was made public on Tuesday, while this year there
will be no report of this kind on Croatia as the EC is drafting an
official opinion on its EU membership application.
(Hina) ms sb