EU TO DECIDE ON COOPERATION WITH CROATIA IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH

ZAGREB, Jan 30 (Hina - Igor Ilic) - A decision on the resumption of negotiations on an agreement on cooperation between Croatia and the European Union could be expected in late February or March, according to Croatian diplomatic sources. The EU had suspended the negotiations on Aug 4 1995 when Croatia launched operation "Storm" to liberate its occupied areas. According to the same diplomatic sources, the agreement was about to be initialled at the time. In October 1996, the EU Council of Ministers adopted a "regional approach" policy in its relations with some South-East European countries, which included Croatia. The regional approach policy presupposes simultaneous but separate negotiations on cooperation with Croatia, Bosnia- Herzegovina and Yugoslavia. Unwillingness to cooperate on the part of any of these countries would not jeopardise the others' chances. A European Commission delegation visited Zagreb in November 1996 to hear Croatia's views on the regional approach policy and modalities of cooperation with the EU. The delegation also visited Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The European Commission is preparing a report on the resumption of negotiations with Croatia for the Council of Ministers to consider in February or March. (hina) jn as 301331 MET jan 97