Brussels, 03/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner for external relations, Chris Patten will be visiting the Balkans from 6 to 10 March, his third trip to the Balkans since last October. Mr. Patten will meet, among others:
- In Albania, on 6 March, President Meidani, Prime Minister Meta and Foreign Minister Milo. In addition, Mr. Patten will address the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Albanian Parliament. At the centre of these talks: the conditions which would allow the start of negotiations on an EU/Albania Stabilisation and Association Agreement;
- In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on 7 March, President Trajkovski, Prime Minister Geogievski and Foreign Minister Dimitrov. On the occasion of that visit, negotiations will be launched on an EU/Fyrom Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Mr. Patten will address Parliament, meeting in plenary and meet the President of the Parliament, Mr. Klimovski. In addition, a delegation of the European Commission will be opened in Skopje, and Mr. Patten will have talks with customs officials at the Blace border crossing.
- In Kosovo, on 7 and 8 March, KFOR Commander General Reinhardt and the deputies of Mr. Kouchner, the head of Unmik. Mr. Patten will also have talks with the members of the Interim Administrative Council in Kosovo, Messrs. Thaci, Rugova and Qosia, and with the Kosovo Transitional Council, and visit a project funded by the EU.
- In Bosnia Herzegovina, on 8 and 9 March, President Izetbegovic, the President of the Federation, Mr. Bicacic, Foreign minister Prlic and the High Representative for Bosnia, Mr. Petritsch. Mr. Patten will be accompanied on part of this visit by Mrs. Madeleine Albright, American Secretary of State, and will go to Brcko which will inaugurate its new special status.
- In Croatia, on 9 and 10 March, President Mesic, Prime Minister Racan, Foreign Minister Piccula and Archbishop Bozanic. Talks will focus on future possibilities for negotiating a Stabilisation and Association Agreement and the start of EU assistance to Croatia.
