International Conference
"South Eastern Europe:
A Challenge in the Process of the EU Enlargement"
Zagreb, February 1-2, 2002
Introduction
European Movement Croatia together with European Movement International
organised an international conference about the enlargement of the European
Union towards South Eastern Europe. It was held in Europe House Zagreb,
February 1-2, 2002.
The conference was drawing on the sustained effort of the European Movement
to study the situation in South Eastern Europe. The concept of the conference
was based on the analyses of the European Movement Croatia for the reform
of the Croatian society and conditionality for accession of individual
countries of the region to the EU.
Politicians and public figures from European Parliament, European Commission
and European Movement and its national councils from 17 countries, journalists,
economists, military, security and political specialists were present
at the conference. There were 41 speakers, 150 participants and 25 registered
journalists at the conference.
The event was envisaged as a vantage point for the review of the EU relations
with the countries of SEE and the action needed for integration. Hence
the conference comprised six sessions:
- The Finalité Européenne: Boundaries and Future Shape of the EU
- Drawing Lessons from the Past Enlargements: Who Did or Did Not Benefit?
- The Enlargement towards South East: An Opportunity or a Trap?
- Perspectives of the Regional Economic Co-operation in SEE (Four Freedoms)
- Security Aspects of the Regional Co-operation as a Prerequisite for the Adhesion to the EU
- Perspectives of Individual Countries to Become a Member of the EU: Copenhagen Criteria and Acquis Communautaire (adjustment case studies)
It was noted that this conference was also the first joint event in the
region for the national councils of the European Movement and other NGOs
of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia (FRY) and Macedonia, as a historic
break through of the co-operation among civil societies and leading non-governmental
organisations of these countries.
The Conference
After the welcome addresses of Vlatko Silobrcic, President of the
European Movement Croatia, and Henrik H. Kröner, Secretary
General of the European Movement International, the first session was
chaired by Ljubomir Cucic, President of the Europe House Zagreb.
A welcome address of Arno Krause, President of FIME (International
Federation of Europe Houses), who was prevented to attend the conference,
was presented to the participants.
Member of European Parliament, Jo Leinen presented the overview
of achievements of the debate about the future of Europe and EU Convention.
There are three key issues in his opinion: Is "Europe" the whole
continent or only the West of it? Is European Union only economic integration
or is it also a political union? Is EU the union of governments or Europe
of citizens? In 2010 EU will have 30 members, with 500m people. There
are 12 candidates for the membership in the European Union at the present
time. Five countries of SEE have a chance to be included. As far as Turkey
is concerned, the questions about the boundaries and the notion of Europe
should be answered. In the future, it must be set clear what is the nature
of future Europe, and in which ways its institutions will develop. As
a member of The European Parliament, Leinen stressed that the president
of the EC must be elected directly by citizens or by the European Parliament,
and not by the governments.
Michael Weninger, political advisor of the President of the European
Commission, pointed to the progress made in the SEE countries and insufficient
co-operation among them. EU is supporting both transformation and integration
of SEE countries and societies into European structures on an individual
basis. EU is granting 4.65bn € in the period 2000 - 2006 through
the CARDS assistance programme, as well as extending loans from EBRD.
EU remains to be the most important foreign economic partner for each
country in the region, granting asymmetric trading preferences. It is
strongly present in the banking systems; it has charted European traffic
corridors that cross the region. The Stability Pact remains an important
instrument, with field presence in Thessalonike, Skopje, Prishtina, Belgrade
and Podgorica. On behalf of the Commission, he expressed optimism for
the accession of SEE into EU. He warned that europeisation of the continent
is not unification and that there are two concepts for the enlargement:
United States of Europe (favoured by smaller countries) vs. Confederation
(favoured by larger countries). The nature of integration remains dual:
bilateral - in the region; multilateral - in the Union.
Doris Pack, Member of European Parliament and chair of its Subcommittee
for Western Balkans, reiterated the condition of regional co-operation
as a prerequisite for EU membership. Some local politicians did not quite
understand the importance of SAA, she said. If you do not have good relations
with your neighbours, you cannot expect to enter the Union. Croatia will
not be blamed if other countries in the region are not willing to co-operate.
Pack stated that she understands reservations of Croatia in co-operation
with those who still refuse to extradite the war criminals who destroyed
Vukovar and other parts of the country. She dismissed fears that the restoration
of co-operation is restoring the old Yugoslavia. There will be great advantages
of the free trade zone once it is established in the whole region. As
far as the Stability Pact is concerned, Pack expressed criticism about
the work done so far. She expects that the things will be improved with
the appointment of the new co-ordinator, Erhard Busek, who is quite well
acquainted with the region. Pack expressed criticism towards the European
Commission: the question of refugees and returnees cannot be solved only
by three countries in the region, and surely not within their economic
potentials. There must be money for return of refugees and for the reconstruction.
It is of utmost importance assistance in education within and outside
CARDS programme.
New challenges require new models and institutions, said Philipp Agathonos,
General Secretary of the European Movement Austria, addressing the issue
of democracy and subsidiarity principle in the Union. Its institutions
are still ruled by concepts established 50 years ago. The core issue are
the elections for the European Parliament, which will depend on the outcome
of the work of the Convention. It will have its first session on February
28, 2002. In 2003, during the Greek Presidency, the inter-governmental
conference will be launched. The core of the problem is the representation
of citizens and of the governments (states). It is expected to be resolved
in a future bicameral parliament. It is paradoxical that the European
Commission can decide how to spend money, but not how to earn money! Europe
needs a constitution, with bill of rights, competences and governance
system outlined in it. Enlargement should also be seen as a part of globalisation
process.
As the first speaker in the second session, Antonio Pedauye, Ambassador
of Spain in Croatia described how Spain worked its way from isolation
under Franco's regime to full-fledged membership in the Union. There were
eight years of negotiations, and Ambassador Pedauye was a member of the
Spanish team: the only resemblance with Croatia or other countries in
the region is limited to international isolation at the beginning of the
integration process. However, all other elements (political life, civil
society, power of the economy) are much different. The Spanish Presidency
intends to restart the negotiations with all the countries regardless
of their readiness. The so-called "Madrid Criterion" is only
the point of effective implementation of the conditionality framework.
For the region, the Zagreb Summit was the turning point on the road to
Europe.
Following the suit of the previous speaker, Osmo Lipponen, Ambassador
of Finland in Croatia, elaborated about the Finnish experiences. The government
had precise social and economic objectives for the integration in the
Union. Hence, it devised a strategy, which mobilised the whole society.
Trade unions, universities, economic organisations, regions and state
bodies worked all together towards the common objectives. The government
then assessed the risks, and concluded that "staying outside would
in a long-run further diminish development of the civil society".
All this was done bearing in mind the notion of European citizen, with
the freedom of movement, education and labour throughout the Union. Finland
is at the present time elaborating the terms of its membership, participation
and initiatives for CFSP projects. The membership should always be improved
in quantitative and qualitative manner. Finland is extending strong support
to the enlargement process, provided that the candidate countries adopt
the acquis.
Hungarian way to EU was outlined by Andras Inotai, Director of
the World Economics Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Inotai
provided the main adjustment process indicators: already 24 chapters for
the accession have been closed, among those the most important ones -
such as Home Affairs, Justice and Four Freedoms. All has been done with
a "bottom-up" approach, rendering importance to practical aspects
of the reform. The creative impulse needed for the required reform is
also the question of the identity. The Enlargement is both a historic
opportunity and development possibility, which should not be ruined. Hungary
would like to avoid second-class membership in the Union. Inotai's most
important thesis was that the regional co-operation is rather a political
and not an economic criterion: there is no economic justification of the
priority of regional co-operation. Inotai strongly advocated the enlargement:
social adjustment potential, geographical position and human capital of
the countries in the heart of Europe will be beneficial to the Union.
He called upon the EU to publish an exact 10-year action plan for the
enlargement, with defined benchmarks for all candidate and aspiring countries.
This would reduce unknowns and political risks from the process.
Jesper Haglund, President of the European Movement Sweden, spoke
about "Swedishness", Swedish model, developed in 1950-ies, based
on military neutrality and high social expenditure ranging from 1/3 of
GDP in 1960 up to 2/3 in 1990. Haglund advised on "golden rules"
for negotiation with EU: there should be a national consensus, transparency
in documents, the Union should never be blamed, the public opinion should
not be taken for granted, one should always seek allies and avoid creating
opponents. Finally, the candidate country should always seek a package
deal, rather than item-by-item approach. About the future development
of the Union, Haglund presented a research about the political parties
in the European Parliament and their grouping, which demonstrates politicisation
of the Parliament.
Maurice O'Connell from European Movement Ireland placed the Treaty
of Nice in the Irish perspective, and explained the misinterpretations
of the Irish referendum and its "No" outcome, into which 65.7%
of eligible voters did not vote. On a broader scale, O'Connell elaborated
economic and psychological benefits of the Union's membership as Ireland
was transformed from an introspective, withdrawn society defined by the
love-hate position to United Kingdom, to an attractive, modern, mature
society. Quite a challenge for post-war countries in SEE!
An overview of regional initiatives and their values was provided by
Erhard Busek, the new Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact (SP),
Co-ordinator of Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI), and
former Austrian Deputy Chancellor. Busek spoke about the definition of
the Balkans, Balkanisation, South Eastern Europe and "Western Balkans",
different names for the same notion. For the first time, there are opportunities
and there is no trap for either EU or SEE. The Co-ordinator outlined the
activities of regional initiatives, especially SP and SECI. In the light
of high expectations on behalf of SEE countries, Busek explained that
quick-start projects are not delivering instant cash, or building crucial
infrastructure. Streamlining of the SP was announced, narrowing the spectrum
and concentration on concrete objectives during his mandate, which he
will announce at the SP conference in June 2002 in Thessalonike. The regional
initiatives' focus will remain on organised crime crack-down, energy co-operation,
demilitarisation, prevention of human trafficking, and other sub-regional
initiatives of dialogue. The aim is to prevent duplication of efforts
among Central European Initiatives, SECI, SP, Black Sea Co-operation and
other regional and cross-borders mechanisms. By end 2002 SEE Busek predicts
that the region will be fully covered by free trade zone through bilateral
agreements.
Possibly the crucial point was raised by Jacqueline De Groote,
Member of the European Movement International Steering Board, who spoke
about the role of non-governmental organisations in the European integration
and enlargement process. The citizens need to be mobilised in large non-governmental
organisations or networks. The action must be done in collective efforts.
She has drawn a parallel to the reconciliation between Germans and the
French after the WW2. It is necessary to shake hand with the former enemy
if we want to have a peaceful and united Europe. De Groote informed the
audience about the value of the European Forum of Civil Society.
Willy De Clercq, Member of European Parliament, former Belgian
Minister and former EC Commissioner, spoke about Schuman's notion of solidarity
and mutation or creation of a new Europe through the enlargement. The
basic problem of the EU enlargement in the fifth wave is that it is seen
simply through statistics: as the 29% increase of the population, 34%
increase in the territory and only 7% increase of the GDP. Europe must
take into account specific characteristics of every CE and SEE country.
De Clercq provided an overview of the EU transformation, from Maastricht
to Amsterdam and Nice: the enlargement is not about the quantity but about
the quality within general globalisation process. The key issue is identity
and knowledge within each country: all education systems must be brought
to a sufficient level in order to enable mobility of labour and know-how.
De Clercq deems that Europe is globally unique that the EU is the largest
provider of assistance in the world.
Secretary and Policy Co-ordinator of European Multicultural Foundation,
John Parry, from United Kingdom, spoke about single political framework
of the Union, citizenship and identity in the situation where national
states have the sense of possession of their citizens. The EU citizenship
superposes upon national citizenship, and dismisses the confusion about
the identity in legal, cultural, religious and other terms while granting
equal treatment to all citizens. Currently the Union is considering a
proposal granting to long-term residents the equal citizens' rights. The
aspiring countries of the SEE will profit from the EU citizenship.
Nicholas Whyte, public relations manager and researcher of CEPS
(Centre for European Policy Studies) from Brussels, analysed the 1999
CEPS plan for the Balkans, devised by the intellectuals from the region.
After three years, only a few of the elements have been fulfilled: Stabilisation
and Association agreements are at 50% of what was expected from contractual
relations; there is not really yet a free trade zone in the region; the
euro is introduced in Montenegro and Kosovo, but not as official currency.
Whyte's assessment is that Croatia has a good chance of catching up with
Europe, disagreeing with Dr. Inotai that regional co-operation should
not be a political precondition.
Vice-President of European Movement International, Alan Dukes,
presented political and economic aspects of enlargement and integration,
starting from the notion of functionalism of Jean Monnet, which was a
useful deception for the start of integration. Regional economic integration
makes sense in the context of globalisation, annihilating the adverse
effects of globalisation. Clearly, there are economic benefits of integration
and of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. The process is irreversible.
Globalisation improves the quality of goods and standards. EU has applied
radical asymmetric trade measures towards SEE, especially in agriculture
- and this move was taken much earlier than in negotiation with other
candidate countries. Speaking from his experience of former Irish finance
minister, Dukes advised that there is a need to keep transitional period
to a minimum. The candidate countries should do not ask for exemptions
and privileges while negotiating with the EU: they should seek for solutions
in a more creative way. Also, they should not impose problems to free
trade (e.g. property rights of foreigners): rather adjust than prevent.
Four freedoms are the prerequisites for development of the region, says
Mladen Stanicic, Director of the Zagreb Institute for International
Relations, on the political, economic, cultural and scientific-technological
level. In order to enable this, Stanicic proposed the implementation of
functionalism as the method of co-operation. It is based on the assumption
that development of international integrations should be established on
functional connections, through various common activities such as health
care, science, culture, trade, economy, transport, etc. Successful co-operation
on the functional basis without the establishment of a political body
or other supranational authority - in the long term - leads to mutual
approaching and creates the basis for easier solving of political problems.
Stanicic supported the thesis of Mr. Inotai of producing a road map to
EU integrations and avoiding political conditionality.
ETUC (European Confederation of Trade Unions) Co-ordinator for Stability
Pact, Grigor Gradev, on behalf of ETUC issued support to the integration
of SEE in EU. He stated that there are no obstacles for the inclusion
of SEE labour force in the EU service sector, on the contrary. Gradev
also mentioned important point of migrations of population and labour
towards EU and within it.
Stjepo Martinovic from the Croatian Ministry of European Integration
spoke about cultural integration, community of values in Europe, and solidarity
in SEE. Martinovic referred to those social and cultural identities of
the candidate nations that have been formed on the basis of their mentalities,
life-styles and value orientations. They are in any case different enough
to enable appearance of negative stereotypes that will for long resist
consolidation of an enlarged EU, as a space free of prejudices and mistrust.
Nevertheless, following once again Jürgen Habermas's thoughts about
the contrast between the European political and the European social and
cultural citizenship, even in the case that the "old Europeans"
promptly accept the newcomers to the Union as politically equal participants
in the inevitable deepening process, no one could predict the pace, let
alone the extent of build-up of Europe-ness, as a self-understood quality
of the new, enlarged Europe's civil society.
Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein, Special Representative of Secretary-General
and Co-ordinator of United Nations Operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, addressed
a message of good governance and rule of law to the local authorities
in SEE. The criminals have pioneered specific "regional co-operation"
and now the governments must follow the suit. Klein outlined political
geometry of the region through one triangle (Zagreb-Belgrade-Sarajevo)
and one axis (Belgrade-Prishtina-Tirana-Skopje). Klein issued criticism
to the Zagreb authorities for not entirely escaping the mentality of the
previous administration. Croatia is still seeking an agonising reappraisal
of its policies, and must understand that she has to play a regional role.
The problem of Prevlaka can be solved within six months. There are slim
chances for the implementation of Dayton Accord. Zagreb and Belgrade must
increase engagement in B-H. Dayton was a terrible peace to end a horrible
war! The problem is that two people do not accept that state. Leaders
who signed the Dayton Accord are now indicted for war crimes, hence not
guaranteeing its implementation. FRY is a dysfunctional federation, Kosovo
is without either parliament or president. Klein does not share American
optimism in the case of Macedonia, and there is no quick fix for the problem.
Klein was strongly critical towards international community for the lack
of a transparent and long run plan for SEE. How does EU see SEE in 2010,
he asked himself:
General Carlo Bellinzona, former Director of Italian Centre for
Military Strategic Studies, presented the interlocking of institutions
in the process of integration of SEE into NATO and EU. He proposes that
a coherent security structure must be extended onto SEE in order to round
up NATO. It would be a wise decision to admit those countries as full
members. Enlargement already takes place by "stealth integration"
and international protectorates. However, in the region there are still
paramilitary elements outside governmental control. Positively, there
is a provoked constructive attitude of the governments in the global fight
against terrorism. There are great expectations of the country in the
region from the NATO membership: however, there is a question of numbers,
quality and quantity of memberships.
The challenges of Kosovo and its security situation were described by
Friedhelm Frischenschlager, Head of Political Party Division in
the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and former Minister of Defence of Austria.
There are 40,000 NATO soldiers on 10,000 sq. km. of that province. The
model of security policy is based on a parallel building of democratic
institutions by OSCE, UN and EU. There are three levels of conflict in
Kosovo: aftermaths of the war, conflict on the final status of Kosovo
(independence, division, international protectorate within Yugoslav Federation),
and impact to the neighbourhood. There are ethnically cleansed areas where
the people (especially the Serbs) do not return. Furthermore, the situation
is unstable due to the cross-border influences and situation in Macedonia.
Especially, it is rumoured that there will be a renewal of conflicts in
Macedonia in the spring. Kosovo may live the fate of Cyprus, with long-lasting
division and strong international presence. If Montenegro secedes, Kosovo
will also be out of the Federation.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for European Integration, former
Deputy Prime Minister and long-standing Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Croatia, Mate Granic, pleaded for a stronger and revised role of
Croatia in the region, consisted of five countries, of different economic,
political and constitutional systems. Implementation of Stabilisation
and Association Agreements and the accompanying process will bring quality
solutions for the accession into the Union. An active regional policy
should be the foundation of Croatia's foreign policy, as there are unresolved
problems of refugees, succession of former Yugoslavia, protection of ethnic
minorities and observance of human rights, but also struggle against regional
crime and international terrorism. Granic says that Croatia, as an aspiring
candidate for EU and NATO membership, must play an active role in the
implementation of the Dayton Accord, including co-operation with ICTY.
However, there should be no conditions imposed on co-operation. Bosnia
and Herzegovina must become a stronger and independent state with all
three peoples (nations) constitutive, sovereign, and enjoying equal rights
in the entire territory. Also, the situation in Yugoslav Federation must
be resolved internally and democratically.
Croatia has embarked upon a path of rapprochement with the European Union.
Useful tools of the process of the European integration will make Croatia
a viable economy and a respected political partner, said Croatian Minister
for European Integration, Neven Mimica. The Minister highlighted
the seriousness of the contractual relations that Croatia has with the
EU through SAA. At the present time there are concrete negotiations under
way. Croatia will not join the EU of 15, but a future and transformed
form of the Union. By the end of 2006 Croatia is determined to fully adopt
acquis, with an objective to join the "left-overs" of the fifth
enlargement wave. Croatia is facing an extremely extensive activity in
the field of harmonisation of Croatian legislation with that of the EU.
Mimica assured that Croatia will remain determined and committed to substantially
contribute to the development of regional co-operation and stabilisation.
This is not only formal obligation stemming from the Agreement on Stabilization
and Association; it is also a priority of the foreign policy of the new
Croatian government.
Outstanding multimedia presentation was rendered by Janez Potocnik,
the new Slovenian Minister for European Affairs and principal negotiator
with the EU. He spoke with absolute optimism about Slovenian stance towards
EU and sustained effort of the Slovenian Government to reform of the economy
and institutions. Benefits and opportunities on the road to Europe exceed
clearly the costs and problems, said Potocnik, inspiring the conference's
participants. While dismissing the worries, he cautiously said that "a
bit of luck" is also needed.
President of the European Movement of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Forum 2000,
Jadranko Prlic, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, advocated
both individual and regional approach for SEE, as it is clearly the rational
and prudent conclusion of the analysis of the question. As far as Bosnia
is concerned, the Dayton Accord is obsolete. Bosnia, he claimed, already
embarked on the EU road, as the only possibly common roof for the three
peoples of Bosnia. EU has special relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina,
and the process of BH's accession to the EU - although not officially
declared - started with the establishment of the Consultative Task Force.
Seven out of 18 conditions for the production of the Feasibility Study
are fulfilled. Results of the Study should be the main guidelines for
BH policy, especialy having in mind that the general elections will take
place in October 2002, reducing, by definition, readiness for important,
already delayed reforms.
Yugoslav foreign policy expert, Živorad Kovacevic, President
of the European Movement Serbia, spoke about the new situation in Serbia/Yugoslavia
after Miloševic's regime. After democratic changes in Serbia in October
2000, it was necessary to undertake as soon as possible a series of steps
to end the country's international isolation and improve its foreign policy
position (normalisation and restoration of diplomatic relations with many
countries, joining the UN and other international organizations, accession
to international agreements, etc.). There is a general consensus of the
new policy-makers that the basic foreign policy orientation of the country
should be political and economic integration processes focused on the
EU. With an anti-Miloševic and pro-European government already in
the saddle in Montenegro, a fundamental, undisputed long-term foreign
policy goal of Yugoslavia (whatever remained of the country under this
name) is joining the European Union. Still, there are many unresolved
problems within the Federation. Kovacevic pleaded for increased co-operation
with ICTY, and extradition of war criminals who destroyed Vukovar as a
token of a new start for Serbia.
Zoran Jacev, Executive Director of "Forum" - CSRD (Center
for Strategic Research and Documentation) from Skopje, Macedonia, alarmed
the participants with the ongoing crisis in Macedonia. Despite the signing
of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, the renewal of conflict is on its way.
EU traffic corridors VIII. and X. are only 10 km away from the confrontation
of Albanian paramilitaries and Macedonian armed forces.
Professor of law at Zagreb University, Siniša Rodin, an expert
for the EU law, warned on "legislative optimism" that the governments
of the aspiring countries have towards immense task of adopting of acquis
communautaire. Drafting the new legislation is almost easy: implementation
requires time and money. Also, the constitutional framework must be changed
in order to allow international law to redefine what is perceived as "sovereignty".
Legal institutions must be reformed as well as the letter of the law.
Honorary Secretary General EMI, Pier Virgilio Dastoli, Co-ordinator
of AGORA, Speaker of the Permanent Forum of Civil Society, concluded the
conference. The role of the European Movement (both international and
national) remains strong for the debate about the future of Europe, within
and outside the EU Permanent Forum of the Civil Society. It is a vehicle
to introduce the subject matter of the enlargement in the discussion of
the Convention. European Movement remains the focal point for the debate
and reporting of ideas and proposals to European institutions. As far
as the non-EU members are concerned, Dastoli supported stronger and sustained
assistance of the EU in the field of education.
On behalf of the organiser of the conference, Ljubomir Cucic added
to the conclusions two important points. Firstly, Cucic outlined a parable
for European integration of the SEE countries: it resembles to a ship
which is endeavouring to reach a port under the tempest, and when it finally
enters the port, it must be anchored and tied. If the ropes are tied too
strongly, or if they are tied too loosely, the ship will wreck. The EU
as the port authority has to check all the ropes and knots in order to
have the boats docked in a right way. This check out does not include
only the skills of sailors and internal capabilities of the SEE countries,
but the sustainability of international arrangements for the region, as
well. Secondly, on behalf of the European Movement Croatia he warmly greeted
the presentation of the President of the European Movement Serbia, as
the historic breakthrough in reconciliation. He welcomed his announcement
of closer co-operation between the two national councils. The concluding
handshake with Mr. Kovacevic was loudly cheered at the conference.
Conclusions
The conference was an outstanding political event. Some messages from
the conference, critically addressed at national governments and interested
experts of the international organisations, were:
- Call for good governance, rule of law and observance of human rights in SEE
- National governments must assumer higher level of responsibility and take a closer look into the region and across their borders
- Imposed political condition of regional co-operation as a prerequisite of EU accession is equally important for the real reform of the economies and societies
- There should be a transparent road map for SEE towards EU
- Increased co-operation with and within civil society plays the crucial role in the reform of the states and economies
On the basis of positive synergy emerged from the Conference, European Movements of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia (FRY) plan to spur the co-operation and joint action in the region. At the initiative of EMC, three national councils will organise a regional conference "Social and Economic Reintegration of Returnees" to be held in June 2002 in Croatia.
The media reception was exceptional, with 25 journalists and four TV
crews (CCN, HRT1, HRT2, Slovenian TV) covering the conference and interviewing
individual lecturers on subjects related to the region. Coverage in Croatia
was provided in articles in newspapers (sorted in order of circulation):
"Jutarnji List" - 5; "Vecernji List" - 3; "Vjesnik"
- 2; "Novi List" -2., "Glas Istre" - 1. There was
ample TV coverage: at central TV news for two days, special show "Euro"
and "TV Orient" (three times), special interviews, and five
individual interviews with the speakers. Radio coverage was provided by
the Croatian Radio, Radio 101, BBC, and VOA. Coverage in the region was
enabled though press release from HINA, TANJUG and an article in "Il
Piccolo" of Trieste, Italy. The papers and excerpts from the debate
will be published in the proceedings of the Conference in May 2002.
The conference was accompanied with a seminar for 50 Young European Federalists
(JEF) from 15 countries, mostly from the region, collocated in the headquarters
of the European Movement Croatia, on the same subject matters and in a
form adequate for future young professionals.
European Movement Croatia wishes to express its gratitude for the support
and assistance to the European Movement International, Europe House Zagreb,
and the European Commission, which sponsored the event, as well as the
City Council of Zagreb.
