CROATIAN MINISTER ADDRESSES VIENNA DIPLOMATIC ACADEMY

VIENNA, Apr 28 (Hina) - Croatia will meet conditions to enter the European Union by the end of 2006, European Integration Minister Neven Mimica said at the Vienna Diplomatic Academy on Monday during a lecture on Croatia on the road to the EU. #L# Croatia can be ready to become a member in 2007, Mimica said, adding conditions from the Stabilisation and Association Agreement -- the first step to associate membership -- would be fulfilled next year. The minister said Croatia had already fulfilled more than 60 percent of requests pertaining to the implementation of said deal. The membership application Croatia submitted earlier in the year and the European Commission questionnaire expected by summer represent a major commitment to building a stable society and meeting international obligations, Mimica said, adding this was part of the process and that Croatia still had a lot to do on the way to the EU. The minister said Croatia's prospects of being granted candidate status within the year were good. He stated that Croatia's 2007 entry would not depend on its preparedness and the adjustment of its legislation to European standards alone, but also on the willingness of the EU to admit new members after the major 2004 enlargement. Answering questions from Austria's political, economic and diplomatic figures, Mimica said Croatia was confident of a second expansion round. He added Croatia expected the EU's political support at its Salonika summit in June, as well as a message to the countries in the region that the EU would commit to ensuring a joint European future for them. Asked about cooperation in the Balkans, Mimica said Croatia cooperated and was in contact with every country in the region, and was interested in seeing them reform quickly and become members of the EU. (hina) ha