PRESIDENT MESIC OPENS "CROATIA 2020" CONFERENCE

ZAGREB, Jan 22(Hina) - Croatia must be more determined in reforms -- decentralise administration, establish a national computer network and make the judiciary more efficient, as this is the only way it can face the challenges of the times, President Stjepan Mesic said at the opening of a day-long conference entitled "Croatia 2020 - Visions and Prospects for Politics, Economy and Society" in Zagreb on Thursday. #L# The conference is organised by the Konrad Adenauer foundation. Much has been done in recent years to strengthen the political stability not only of Croatia but the entire region, President Mesic said. "There is still much to be done in the establishment of the rule of law and the implementation of its principles," he added. On the political front, Croatia, as most countries, is facing the challenge of cooperation - on the global, European and regional levels, the president said, adding that he saw Croatia as a country following global trends but contributing to Europe's cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity. Croatia is still going through the difficult period of transition, primarily economic, as well as political and social transition. It is necessary to rely on one's own resources - both economic and human, Mesic said. "I would like Croatia to become, by 2020, a country of mature democracy, political stability, economic development and prosperity - in short, a country of happy people," the president said in his opening speech. The first topic on the agenda of the conference was economic transition, on which speeches were delivered by business people, scientists and economic and financial experts. The conference will also address European integration and foreign policy, local self-government bodies, decentralisation and the media. (Hina) rml sb