BRUSSELS, Feb 26 (Hina) - Croatia and the European Union on Monday began the second round of negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), in Brussels. This round, which is to take two days, should tackle the issues
of trade concessions for EU products and foreigners' ownership of real estate in Croatia. So far the negotiations have opened nine of a total of ten chapters of the SAA, and the chapter on the cooperation in judiciary and internal affairs will be opened on this occasion. This cooperation will become more important in view of the Union's plans to intensify the fight against organised crime and illegal immigration as well as in view of the bids of Croatia, which is a transit area for illegal migrants on their way to the West, to help prevent this kind of crime. Croatia's delegation is led by the chief negotiator, Neven Mimica, while the EU's party is led by Catherine Day,
BRUSSELS, Feb 26 (Hina) - Croatia and the European Union on Monday
began the second round of negotiations on a Stabilisation and
Association Agreement (SAA), in Brussels.
This round, which is to take two days, should tackle the issues of
trade concessions for EU products and foreigners' ownership of real
estate in Croatia.
So far the negotiations have opened nine of a total of ten chapters
of the SAA, and the chapter on the cooperation in judiciary and
internal affairs will be opened on this occasion.
This cooperation will become more important in view of the Union's
plans to intensify the fight against organised crime and illegal
immigration as well as in view of the bids of Croatia, which is a
transit area for illegal migrants on their way to the West, to help
prevent this kind of crime.
Croatia's delegation is led by the chief negotiator, Neven Mimica,
while the EU's party is led by Catherine Day, deputy direct-general
of the foreign affairs department of the European Commission.
The talks on the dynamic of the liberalisation of Croatia's market
for industrial goods and agricultural produce imported from the EU
are the continuation of the technical negotiations launched in
January.
Croatia suggests a transitional period between three (3) and six
(6) years for the liberalisation and the most sensitive products
are olive oil, wheat, meat and dairy produce.
Regarding the possibilities for foreigners to own real estate in
Croatia, Zagreb will propose a transitional period as well as a list
of real estate which will be excluded from this right after that
period.
During the Brussels negotiations, the two teams will exchange their
opinions on Croatia's amendments to the draft agreement.
The first round of talks was held in the mid-December 2000.
The third round of negotiations is expected to be conducted in late
April or early May, prior to the full harmonisation of the views on
the final document and plans for initialling it.
(hina) ms