Brussels, 13/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - Monday's General Affairs Council "totally" approved the recommendations of the first annual report by the European Commission on the process of stabilisation and association in South-East Europe. It confirmed that the countries taking part have "potential candidate status". The Council also recalled its decision to carry out a police mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the EU's willingness to take over NATO's Amber Fox Operation in Macedonia on condition that the Berlin agreement governing the arrangements for cooperation between the EU and NATO is implemented (see above).
Speaking to the five countries concerned, the Council once more stressed the importance of regional cooperation and invited them to focus their efforts on justice and home affairs, to strengthen the rule of law and the judiciary system, and to fight against corruption, illegal immigration and organised crime. It also insisted on the importance of aligning admission and visa policies on European norms, of developing public information in order to give a greater understanding of the effort being undertaken by countries with a view to joining the EU, and of setting in place effectiveness and consistency assessment measures for instruments implemented in the context of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
The Council also adopted conclusions for each separate country. Albania: Especially calling for enhanced judiciary and administrative capabilities, the Council hopes that the forthcoming elections will preserve the country's political stability. Bosnia-Herzegovina: the Council welcomed the countries accession to the Council of Europe and placed emphasis on co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal.. Croatia: the Council welcomes the efforts Croatia has made in normalising relations with its neighbours, especially Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia: the Council placed emphasis on the implementation of the 14 March agreement governing the new Serbia/Montenegro relations (essential condition for beginning negotiations over a stabilisation and association agreement); Macedonia: the Council especially called for the holding of free elections, implementation of the law on amnesty and the end to violence. "All efforts must be done to focus attention on the implementation of the EU/Macedonia interim agreement, it stresses.