PRESIDENT MESIC SATISFIED WITH CROATIA'S PROGRESS ON ROAD TO EU

ZAGREB, May 8 (Hina) - This year's marking of Europe Day is an opportunity for voicing great satisfaction with Croatia's progress so far in drawing closer to a united Europe, says a message sent by President Stjepan Mesic to Croatian citizens on the occasion of Europe Day. #L# "We mark May 9 as Europe Day and the day of victory over fascism. This is an opportunity for us to express great satisfaction with progress made so far on the road to a united Europe and confirm our firm intention to crown this road with success -- membership of the EU," says the message. Mesic stressed that Croatia was aware of the tasks and obligations which it must fulfil on the path to the EU. "We are making good progress in achieving European standards in key areas. We are adjusting our legislation with that of the European Union and, according to economic indicators, we are even more successful than the Union expected of us to be in this phase," the president said. Mesic said he was confident that Croatia would overcome its biggest obstacle on the path to Brussels -- the so-called political conditions. "Objectively, these are the easiest to meet because one does not need more than political will and determination. I believe that we will prove that we are mature and can handle the requests put before us -- not by the international community, but by our own future," says the president's message. Mesic recalled that today's Europe was based on the foundations of anti-fascism and stressed that it was high time for Croatia "to assume a united front towards its past and oppose all manifestations of neo-fascism, any form of extremism and intolerance". "Croatia's future is a united Europe which must be a synonym for democracy, tolerance, the promotion and respect of human rights and the rule of law. Croatia which will be based on these foundations will have no problems in finding its rightful place in the European Union," the message says. (hina) lml