Meeting of Prime Ministers of the CEI Member States was held in Warsaw...

On 20 - 21 November 2003, a Meeting of Prime Ministers of the CEI Member States was held in Warsaw. Main topics of the meeting was the situation in the region and the evaluation of the present and future role of the CEI in the light of EU enlargement.

In his speech, Mr. Ivan Šimonović, Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of the Croatian delegation, indicated the progress that the Republic of Croatia has made in the context of approaching the EU. He also pointed out that the European Commission will publish its avis on the application of the Republic of Croatia for the EU membership in Spring 2004, and that it will begin with negotiations for membership of Croatia in the EU in late 2004. The Member States and the CEI as regional forum, were asked to lend their support in the context of the realisation of the candidate status that Croatia wishes to achieve in June 2004.

In the Final Document adopted at the end of the meeting, Prime Ministers offered support to the continuation of European integration processes and stressed the importance of continuing the process of EU enlargement. Prime Ministers positively evaluated conclusions adopted at the Summit EU - Western Balkans, held in June 2003 in Salonika and clearly emphasised the prospects of membership in the EU of the states included in the Stabilisation and Association process.

After the forthcoming entry of five CEI Member States in the EU, changes in the perception of CEI as regional forum will occur. Prime Ministers therefore decided to focus key activities of CEI at exchanging experience on the enlargement process and adjustment to EU standards. As a priority goal, giving specific programme support to the states included in the Stabilisation and Association Process on their path to achieving EU membership was emphasised.

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