Brussels, 31/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - On the fringe of the General Affairs Council on Tuesday, Javier Solana, the EU's High Representative for CFSP, met Tonino Picula, Croat Foreign Minister with whom he discussed the international situation, especially Iraq, and Croatia's intention of submitting its candidacy, on 18 February, for EU membership (EUROPE of 28 January, p.7). According to Mr. Solana, "there is no doubt Croatia will be member of the EU", even if it is a question of a lengthy process requiring continued reforms and Croatia's total co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTF). "We know it will be difficult but the prospect of becoming an member of the EU leads to great enthusiasm", replied Mr. Picula, adding that "our candidacy is a plus for our country and for the region".
Kosovo: Javier Solana's full support for Michael Steiner
Tuesday evening, Javier Solana dined with Alexis Brounns, EU Special Representative in Macedonia, Lord Ashdown, EU Special representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Erhard Busek, Special Co-ordinator for the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe and Michael Steiner, UN Special Representative in Kosovo, to discuss the situation in the region in the perspective of the Thessaloniki Summit of 21 June.
As for developments in Kosovo, Solana reiterated his full support for Mr. Steiner and repeated that United Nations Resolution 1244 remained the sole basis for defining Kosovo's future status. Regarding this, Mr. Steiner's policy of "standards before status" (making of Kosovo a viable system at political, economic and legal levels before deciding on its future status) is the only way to ensure the creation of a democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo, said Solana, welcoming the decision of the Povratak coalition (composed of Serbs) to resume its participation in the Kosovo Assembly.