CROATIAN PRESIDENT, EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CHAIRMAN HOLD TALKS

ZAGREB, Jan 14 (Hina) - Croatia will apply for EU membership soon and can count in that on the support of friendly Greece, President Stjepan Mesic said on Tuesday after talks with Greek foreign minister and chairman of the EU Council of Ministers Georgios Papandreou. #L# Besides Croatia's upcoming application, Mesic said the talks also touched upon all major issues important not only for Croatia but for the region and the wider area as well. Croatia still has to resolve some open issues, like the protection of national minorities, refugee returns, and economic problems, said Mesic. He stated the economic issues were being dealt with and that unemployment was being resolved gradually. The President pointed out that Croatia had the lowest inflation of all countries in transition. Mesic also said he accepted an invitation to visit Greece, adding it was tentatively scheduled for May. Speaking on Greece's behalf, Papandreou supported Croatia's bids to join the EU, commending the political will shown in dealing with open issues like the protection of national minorities and refugee returns. The Greek minister said that despite the different religious, cultural and other origins, all could share the same European values and become a part of the EU. He said his talks with Mesic also addressed regional cooperation, as well as broader issues like Iraq whose denouement he said was high on the list of priorities of Greece's EU presidency. Papandreou is visiting Zagreb as part of a tour of Southeastern Europe's countries participating in the Stabilisation and Association Process with the EU. He has already been to Macedonia and Albania and his next stop is Belgrade. Earlier today he held talks with Prime Minister Ivica Racan and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula. (hina) ha