Croatia is likely to start talks with the Union on a far-reaching economic and political agreement next month…

Date: 18/05/2000

...foreign ministry officials in Zagreb said this week. The European Commission is set to recommend next week that the EU should begin negotiations on a stability and association agreement with Croatia. The move represents another boost to the new reformist government in Zagreb which took over from Franjo Tudjman's nationalist regime in January. Union governments will have to approve starting negotiations, but are expected to do so to encourage further reforms in Croatia.