§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a38W statement on the Government's policy on Croatia's application for membership of the World Trade Organisation. [104756]
§ Mr. VazWe support Croatia's application to join the World Trade Organisation. Membership will allow Croatia to enjoy the benefits of integration in the world trading system. We hope that agreement on the terms of Croatia's joining can be reached quickly.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact that the deferment of Croatia's application to join the World Trade Organisation will have on its advancement(a) to a full market economy and (b) to meet criteria for European Union membership; and if he will make a statement. [104757]
§ Mr. VazWe hope that the agreement on the terms of Croatia's joining the WTO can be reached quickly, but a delay need not affect Croatia's progress towards a full market economy or EU membership. Croatia can reform its economic and market structures independently of pursuing its application to join the WTO. We urge the new Croatian government to make progress towards meeting the criteria for EU membership, including democratisation, respect for human rights and compliance with international obligations.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss Croatia's application for membership of the World Trade Organisation when he next meets(a) the United States Secretary of State, (b) the Foreign Minister of France and (c) the European Commission; and if he will make a statement. [104752]
§ Mr. VazThe GAC on 24 January will discuss the full range of EU policy towards Croatia in light of the election results. We support Croatia's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Balkans are likely to be on the agenda when the Foreign Secretary next speaks to Mrs. Albright.