AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR SUPPORTS CROATIA'S ENTRY INTO EU

VIENNA, Feb 14 (Hina) - Austria supports Croatia's wish to enter the European Union and is willing to offer Zagreb every kind of help on that path, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel said after his meeting with Croatian Premier Ivica Racan in Vienna on Friday. #L# "I am very glad that within his European tour and before submitting the application for EU membership, Premier Racan has visited Austria, which supports Croatia's wish to enter the EU and is willing to give every possible help on that path," Schuessel said at a news conference he held with Racan in Vienna. Asked whether divisions in the Union about the Iraqi crisis could affect plans for its enlargement and thus make Croatia's path more difficult, the Austrian chancellor responded in the negative. "In the EU there is a defined agenda and political goals, whose achievement the Iraqi crisis cannot affect. It would be very strange if Saddam Hussein could influence the EU and its objectives," the Austrian official added. The Croatian premier voiced satisfaction with the support promised in Vienna. "Because of the friendly ties and a high degree of understanding between the two countries, it is important for us to have Austria's support to our ambitions to join the EU," Racan said. On Friday Racan arrived in Vienna on a day-long working visit to Austria. Before meeting Schuessel he held talks with President Thomas Klestil. Vienna is the last stop of the European tour of Croatian top officials - President Stjepan Mesic, Premier Racan, Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and European Integration Neven Mimica - during which they sought support for Zagreb's plans to be admitted to the EU, before officially applying for full membership, which the government decided on Thursday would take place in Athens on 21 February. (hina) ms