PRESIDENT MESIC COMMENTS ON GOVT.'S WORK

ZAGREB, Feb 13 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said on Friday that the government had to review the situation and decide on its priorities in the field of internal affairs and transform Croatia from an import-oriented economy to an export-oriented one.#L# Mesic made the statement at the "Year of Champagne" event, when asked to comment on the government's performance in the field of internal affairs. Speaking about the government's work, Mesic said the government had so far been oriented more towards international institutions which wanted Croatia to accomplish its strategic goals of joining the EU and NATO as soon as possible. "In order to achieve this, we must become compatible with the EU, which requires the completion of relevant legislation. We must change from an import-oriented economy to an export-oriented one," Mesic said. This is a task of the government and the government must prove its competence in that field, because promises alone are of no use, Mesic said. Asked whether inter-ethnic tolerance which Prime Minister Ivo Sanader is advocating would become a reality in Croatia, Mesic said that "it has to, because it simply must be understood that the times of wrong judgments and wrong politicians are behind us and that we are turning to the problems of today and their solving". (Hina) rml sb