Today, the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the first preparatory meeting for the organization of the Summit between EU and SAP countries

Today, the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the first preparatory meeting for the organization of the Summit between EU and SAP countries, to be held in Thessaloniki on 21 June 2003 under the Greek Presidency. High officials from the EU Troika (Greece, Italy, European Commission, General Secretariat of the Council), Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro and Croatia as host, have attended today’s meeting. The Croatian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ivan Šimonović, opened the meeting, and in presenting the Croatian overall expectations of the Thessaloniki Summit, pointed out that thanks to the Greek and the forthcoming Italian Presidencies, the SAP countries were placed on the top of the EU’s agenda.

The Greek Presidency has presented the main objectives of the Thessaloniki Summit, focusing on the further strengthening of relations between SAP countries and EU, with the final aim of their full integration into the EU. In principle, a large consensus emerged, regarding the enrichment of the SAP with experience and instruments that the EU has been using in the enlargement process. All participants have expressed their commitments to enhancing regional cooperation, which contributes to long-term peace and stability in southeastern Europe. Participants from the SAP countries reconfirmed their commitment to continue with reforms necessary for establishing closer relations with the EU. The idea of holding regular Summit meetings between EU – SAP countries, begining with the Zagreb Summit on 24 November 2000, and continuing with the Thessaloniki Summit, was explored.

According to the Greek proposal it was agreed to continue consultations about the Thessaloniki Summit first in Italy, which offered to host the next preparatory meeting in Rome in May, and finally in Greece before the Summit.

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