PREMIER SUBMITS CROATIA'S APPLICATION FOR EU MEMBERSHIP - EXTENDED

ATHENS, Feb 21 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan in Athens on Friday submitted Croatia's application for EU membership to the chairman of the European Council, Greek Premier Costas Simitis. #L# "On behalf of the Republic of Croatia, following the Croatian Parliamentary Resolution on Croatia's Joining the European Union, it is our honour to, in line with Article 49 of the Agreement on the European Union, submit Croatia's application for membership of the European Union," reads the text of the application which Racan and President Stjepan Mesic signed in Zagreb on Thursday. The application was handed over along with Resolution on Croatia's joining the EU, adopted in December 2002. The application was also accompanied by a promotional CD entitled "RE:member CROATIA". The promotional CD includes speeches by President Mesic and Premier Racan, specific political conditions of Croatia's joining the EU, basic data on Croatia and a video recording on Croatia's tourist and historical heritage. Racan said in Athens on Friday that Croatia was absolutely aware of the principles on which the EU was founded -- the principles of freedom, democracy, the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the rule of law. The premier said Croatia was devoted to the building of an efficient economy, a truly democratic society and the rule of law, but added that Serbia's aggression in Croatia and its consequences had slowed Croatia on that path. He pointed out the support Croatia received during a lobby tour he conducted prior to submitting the application. Recent significant meetings with senior officials, including today's meeting with premier Simitis, make us believe that our ambitions are justified, well-thought-out and timely, the premier said. The Greek premier said Croatia's application would be forwarded to the EU Council which would most definitely mull it upon receiving an annual report of the European Commission on March 31. The Council will most probably discuss Croatia's request at its session in April and adopt a political decision on the continuation of debating it. The Council will forward the issue to the Commission which is then expected to voice its opinion on Croatia's application, Simitis said at the joint press conference. This application represents an entirely new step because Croatia is the first country from the Western Balkans to submit it, the Greek premier said and expressed satisfaction that the event took place during Greece's presidency over the European Union. According to him, the EU basic objective is to ensure the stability and development of Western Balkan countries through EU membership. This is why Greece has been and is still investing intensive and permanent efforts in that direction, Simitis said. The Croatian and Greek premiers also focused on bilateral issues, the situation in the region and current issues regarding the Iraqi crisis. Premier Simitis confirmed that his Croatian counterpart had informed him of Zagreb's standpoints regarding the Iraqi crisis. He voiced confidence that the UN Security Council would have the last say in the solving of the Iraqi crisis. "The Croatian government supports the EU conclusions on Iraq, particularly the standpoint according to which the war is not inevitable and that a solution should be sought by political means through the Security Council," Racan told the news conference. "This is in line with the standpoints adopted by the Croatian government," said Racan and added it was important for the EU to have a united standpoint in such circumstances which, in his opinion, would facilitate the position of smaller countries too. Along with Racan, the Croatian delegation also included Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, European Integration Minister Neven Mimica and a government minister Gordana Sabol. Today's event was covered by about 40 Croatian reporters who arrived from Zagreb and numerous local and foreign reporters accredited in Athens. (hina) it