PM RACAN ATTENDS EVENT MARKING 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF GERMAN SPD

BERLIN, May 22 (Hina) - The leader of Croatia's Social Democratic Party and Premier, Ivica Racan, on Thursday called on European Social Democrats, who gathered at the central celebration of the 140th anniversary of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Berlin, to support Croatia's efforts to join the EU in 2007. #L# The Berlin event pooled Social Democrat premiers from all around Europe, including German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. "On that path we shall certainly need your support and partnership, and I believe that the European Social Democrats will find partners in the Croatian Social Democrats," Racan said in his speech addressing participants in a meeting of European premiers who are members of Social Democratic parties. Later Racan told reporters that the meeting had also revolved around attempts to secure stability and maintain economic growth. In Europe, the Social Democrats are in power or in ruling coalitions in 11 countries. At the Berlin event, Schroeder welcomed the premiers of Sweden, the Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Albania, Lithuania, Croatia and Great Britain. Also attending were the premiers of Montenegro and Serbia, Milo Djukanovic and Zoran Zivkovic. During his stay in Berlin, Racan will hold talks with Britain's Blair to discuss his forthcoming visit to London. Racan and Schroeder will consider plans for the German official's visit to Zagreb in a few months. The Croatian SDP delegation also included the party's vice- chairwoman Zeljka Antunovic and an MP, Mirjana Feric Vac. The presidency of the Party of European Socialists (PES), which gathers Socialist, Social Democratic and Labour parties of the European Union, last week promoted Croatia's SDP into an observer. The party is likely to be given associate member status next spring at a PES electoral convention. (hina) ms sb