EU, Bosnia set to sign SAA

The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) will be signed between Bosnia-Herzegovina and the European Union today in Luxembourg, it was announced. This will put Bosnia on the path towards full-fledged EU member status, and will also confirm that the EU's peace-keeping mission will remain in Bosnia-Herzegovina as long as it is needed, reports said. EU, Bosnia set to sign SAA The signing also completes one of the Slovenian EU presidency's priorities, to have all five countries of the Western Balkans sign the SAA by the end of its six-month stint atop the EU, and thus "cover the region with these agreements". The Bosnia-Herzegovina delegation, led by Chairman of the Presidency Haris Silajdzic and Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikola Spiric, were expected in Luxembourg this morning. EU enlargement will be an important topic during the second day of the union's foreing ministers' meeting, at which new steps made by Croatia and Turkey towards EU integration should to be confirmed. The visa liberalization process and the timetables for talks with Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia will also be discussed. Macedonia has been waiting since December 2005 to begin talks for joining the EU, a goal which has further been compromised by the incidents which occurred during the recent parliamentary elections. The Slovenian presidency is expected to announce that Macedonia will be able to begin these talks "once all conditions have been fulfilled". The key condition for Macedonia's progress is "peaceful co-existence with the Albanian minority", while EU ministers are expected to discuss this country, "keeping in mind that the stability of Macedonia is important for the entire region".

EU, Bosnia set to sign SAA

The signing also completes one of the Slovenian EU presidency's priorities, to have all five countries of the Western Balkans sign the SAA by the end of its six-month stint atop the EU, and thus "cover the region with these agreements".

The Bosnia-Herzegovina delegation, led by Chairman of the Presidency Haris Silajdžic and Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikola Špiric, were expected in Luxembourg this morning.

EU enlargement will be an important topic during the second day of the union's foreing ministers' meeting, at which new steps made by Croatia and Turkey towards EU integration should to be confirmed.

The visa liberalization process and the timetables for talks with Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia will also be discussed.

Macedonia has been waiting since December 2005 to begin talks for joining the EU, a goal which has further been compromised by the incidents which occurred during the recent parliamentary elections.

The Slovenian presidency is expected to announce that Macedonia will be able to begin these talks "once all conditions have been fulfilled".

The key condition for Macedonia's progress is "peaceful co-existence with the Albanian minority", while EU ministers are expected to discuss this country, "keeping in mind that the stability of Macedonia is important for the entire region".