Brussels, 18/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, negotiations between Croatia and the EU with a view to concluding a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) began in Brussels. The possibility of concluding the SAA was offered by the EU to all five countries of South East Europe which are not yet officially candidates for accession: Croatia, Albania, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Bosnia-Herzegovina, Federal Republic of Yugoslavai. Croatia is the second of these countries to begin negotiating an SAA. FYROM has already completed negotiation. The agreement is signed but not yet ratified. The Stabilisation and Association Agreements provide for strengthened cooperation in every field. They also stress the European vocation of the countries concerned, including the prospect of one day belonging to the EU.