Brussels, 27/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - "Democracy, reconciliation and regional cooperation on the one hand, rapprochement by each country with the European Union on the other, forming a whole". This extract from the final declaration of the EU-Balkans Summit in Zagreb summarises the meaning, by emphasising the indivisible character, that the EU wanted to give to the two processes. The declaration that closed this first summit between the EU 15 and the countries from the Western Balkans, "at a time, when democracy is in the process of sweeping the region", places emphasis on regional cooperation, and stipulates that the Balkan countries "undertake to establish between their countries conventions for regional cooperation" foreseeing a "political dialogue, a free trade area and cooperation in justice and home affairs". The declaration underlines that "in this context, the path is now open to all the countries of the region for rapprochement" with the EU, which "reaffirms" that Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and the FRY have a status of "potential candidates for accession". EUROPE will very soon publish the declaration in EUROPE/Documents.
The Zagreb Summit also was the opportunity for the EU to launch negotiations with Croatia over a Stabilisation and Association Agreement and to sign the first agreement of this kind, with Macedonia. The Macedonian Prime Minister, Ljubco Georgievski, welcomed on this occasion that the EU confirm its undertaking to "open its doors to the countries of the region". He also underlined that the various Community instruments had been a "success" - "The Cooperation Agreement", in particular for political and economic cooperation, the lifting of customs duties for economic growth.
The European Commission also signed in Zagreb two framework agreements, with Serbia and Yugoslavia, over the methods for the delivery of Community aid. These agreements set certain practical details - notably they specify that aid (electricity, food…) are exempt from customs duties and taxes. They also specify the rule for the follow-up and control of Community aid.