PM: CROATIA HAS GERMANY'S SUPPORT FOR CANDIDACY IN EU

BERLIN, Jan 20 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said in Berlin after a meeting with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Monday night that Croatia enjoyed this country's support in its candidacy for full membership in the European Union. #L# "I am exceptionally satisfied with talks with Chancellor Schroeder during which he showed profound understanding for Croatia's intent to submit a request for full membership of the EU," Racan told reporters at the Croatian Embassy in Berlin. Racan relayed Schroeder's words that "it is up to Croatia when it will submit its candidacy, but Germany will provide support". "The German side again showed interest in ongoing reforms, and gladly accepted our statement that we will not give them up," the premier said. He said that during the talks, both sides agreed that Croatia's achievements in reforms rendered its request for membership in the EU normal. Racan said he had invited Schroeder to visit Croatia and expressed hope he would do so in the middle of this year. Berlin is the first stop of Racan's tour of European capitals whose aim is to seek support for full membership in the Union, which Croatia intends to submit at the end of next month. (hina) lml sb