Minister MacShane stressed that positive steps had been taken on Croatia's way to the European Union and added that the British government fully supported the Stabilisation and Association Process. However, he also reminded that the basic precondition for the SAA ratification in the British Parliament was for Croatia to meet all the political criteria.

Special emphasis was put on the judiciary reform and the return of refugees and displaced persons. The Croatian President's recent visit to Belgrade was warmly welcomed since it focused on issues such as the return of Serbian refugees and displaced persons, activities related to regional stability and obligations assumed with the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

Minister MacShane repeated that the ratification would follow the arrest or voluntary surrender of general Ante Gotovina to the Hague International Criminal Tribunal. Minister Mimica informed his colleague about all the steps Croatia was taking to solve that problem, which was especially important in light of Prime Minister Ivica Račan's visit to London next week.