IRELAND WILL SUPPORT CROATIA'S BIDS TO JOIN EU - PM

DUBLIN, June 13 (Hina) - Irish Prime Minister Bertie Aherne extended support to Croatia's bids to join the EU during talks with his Croatian counterpart Ivica Racan in Dublin on Friday, saying Ireland would help Croatia as mush as it could. #L# Speaking to reporters after the talks, Aherne voiced hope Croatia's application for European Union membership would be decided on during Ireland's presidency of the Union in the first half of 2004. Ireland was among the first countries which ratified Croatia's Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. Earlier today Racan opened a Croatian embassy in Dublin, which Aherne said was a clear sign of the warm and very friendly relations between the two countries. Today's talks addressed Croatia's bids to join the EU and the development of bilateral relations, especially in the economy. Despite good political relations, Croatian-Irish trade is below US$100 annually. Racan said Croatia wished to apply Ireland's experience. Ireland has one of the highest economic growth rates in the world. Between 1995 and 2001 it stood at 9.4 percent, which is said to be the result of a successful attracting of foreign investments, tax benefits, political consensus on the economic policy, and trained labour. Racan invited Aherne to visit Croatia, which is likely to occur in the autumn. During the talks, Croatia's PM spoke about the situation in the region. He pointed to Croatia's interest in regional cooperation and insisting that countries individually draw closer to the EU. Talking to Croatian reporters, Racan said the talks he held in Ireland during the current visit showed that its support to Croatia's application for EU membership was clear and strong, and that Ireland's interest in Croatia was growing, especially among tourists. Also today, Racan met with Rory O'Hanlon, president of the Irish parliament's lower house, and Rory Kiely, president of the Senate. (hina) ha