ZAGREB SUMMIT'S FINAL DOCUMENT ZAGREB, Nov 19 (Hina) - A final document of the 24 November summit in Zagreb, the biggest political event to be held in Croatia since the country won its independence and possibly the biggest political
meeting in countries in transition, should confirm the necessity for the European Union's individual treatment of each country in the region as well as the readiness of countries to cooperate with each other.
ZAGREB, Nov 19 (Hina) - A final document of the 24 November summit in
Zagreb, the biggest political event to be held in Croatia since the
country won its independence and possibly the biggest political
meeting in countries in transition, should confirm the necessity
for the European Union's individual treatment of each country in
the region as well as the readiness of countries to cooperate with
each other.#L#
"The entire document is a combination of giving the equal
importance both to countries' admission into the European Union on
an individual basis and to the regional cooperation between those
countries," the Croatian Foreign Ministry's spokesman said on
Sunday commenting on a draft final document of the Zagreb summit,
which was on Friday supported by representatives of the EU,
European Commission and countries covered by the Stabilisation and
Association Agreement (SAA), who convened in Skopje.
The document will be re-considered at a meeting of the EU Council of
Ministers, set up for Monday in Brussels, and finally prior to the
commencement of the Zagreb summit, i.e. on 23 or 24 November in the
Croatian capital.
The document gives the main message which should be relayed from the
summit: the European Union is to build the further cooperation with
countries in this region on the individual assessment of
achievements of each country and on their readiness to promote
regional cooperation.
According to spokesman, Goran Rotim, the declaration consists of
two sections: the first refers to the EU's expectations from
southeastern European countries and to the EU's policy in this part
of the Continent.
The second section is about the individual assessment of each
country covered by the stabilisation and association process, and
it also underlines that during the Zagreb Summit, Croatia will
begin its negotiations with the EU on a Stabilisation and
Association Agreement (SAA).
After the official commencement of those negotiations at the Zagreb
event, Macedonia is expected to ceremonially initial the SAA.
Macedonia, Slovenia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and
Montenegro have not yet officially confirmed the arrival of their
representatives in Zagreb.
On Friday, the Croatian Foreign Ministry expressed hope that this
was caused only by the slowness of the administration in those
countries and that it should not be interpreted as a political
message to the European Union. However, Slovenia, which is going to
be represented at the lowest level, namely by Foreign Minister, is
dissatisfied with the draft final document as it fails to mention
the issue of succession to the former Yugoslavia (SFRY).
While co-organisers - Croatia and France - emphasise the importance
of the participation of Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, his
arrival is still most uncertain as Podgorica and Belgrade should
reach agreement on the mode of Djukanovic's participation who was
not directly invited but via the Office of Yugoslav President.
Fifteen EU member-countries will be represented by either heads of
state or government. Presidents or premiers will come from five
countries covered by the SAA process. Brussels is to send its
representative as well. In addition three international
representatives - for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and the Stability
Pact - will also come.
One of problems that may occur before the organisers in Zagreb is
announcement of several protest rallies exactly on the day of the
summit. Some of those protesters may be war veterans (the central
committee for the protection of the Homeland War's dignity) or
unionists (the Croatian Association of Unions, HUS).
Although Croatian authorities do not deny anybody their democratic
right to protest, they point out to the importance of the meeting
and call on citizens to be aware of that.
"All who have announced protest rallies during the Zagreb Summit,
have their full democratic right (to do so), but we hope that
fundamental values and the reputation of Croatia will not be
brought into question because of the protests," Rotim said on
Saturday.
(hina) jn ms