BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH NO. 5338

BRUSSELS, June 4 (Hina) - Italy and Slovenia on Friday welcomed themove by the Croatian Parliament not to apply its decision on theprotected ecological and fishing zone in the Adriatic to EuropeanUnion countries. Slovenia is "significantly closer" todeciding to support Croatia's candidacy for European Union membership,Prime Minister Anton Rop told Slovenia's POP-TV on Friday. The Slovene Parliament's Foreign AffairsCommittee has concluded that the decision by the Croatian Parliamentthat the declaration of the protected ecological and fishing zone inthe Adriatic Sea will not apply to European Union member states is"only the first step," the Slovene news agency STA said on Fridayfollowing a closed session of the committee. Ireland's presidency of the European Unionhas sent members draft conclusions for a Council of Ministers meetingwhich propose that Croatia be granted EU candidate status and a datefor the start of entry talks, dipl