Recalling his encounters with Pope John Paul II at a party meeting in Slavonski Brod, Racan said the Pope had strongly advocated Croatia's ambitions to join the EU. He stressed the Pope's interest in the situation in neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Commenting on the replacement of the Croat member of Bosnia's collective state presidency, Dragan Covic, Racan said that the Croatian government should have reacted clearer and faster.
"These are two independent states and we should respect that, but one should have demonstrated more engagement, instead of only expressing concern about the developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina," Racan said. He added that he too believed High Representative Paddy Ashdown's decision to replace Covic was bad, especially because it came at a time when major constitutional issues were expected to be tackled.
"It would be very bad for the Croat community to respond in a way that would be detrimental to it. Responsible behaviour on the part of Croats in very important," Racan said, adding he regretted that one had not waited for judicial bodies to decide on the matter first.
Commenting on the current political situation in Croatia, Racan said the SDP was still ready to cooperate with the government on the project of Croatia's admission to the EU as long as the government stayed on the same course. However, he criticised the government's economic policy, stating that it was less successful than the previous government.