ZAGREB ARCHBISHOP HOLDS TALKS WITH ROMANO PRODI

ZAGREB, July 10 (Hina) - The president of the Croatian Bishops Conference, Archbishop of Zagreb Josip Bozanic, on Thursday held talks with European Commission President Romano Prodi. #L# In a brief statement to the press after the talks, Prodi said he was optimistic about Croatia's prospect of joining the European Union but declined to speak about dates. Prodi said the role of the Church in the unification of Europe was "very important" because Europe "can't be built on trade relations alone". Europe is being built on the principles of equality and democratic acceptance of the new Europe, he said. "These are principles which are not only the foundations of a state, but of Christianity." Prodi recalled Pope John Paul II said a few years back that Europe must "breathe with both lungs". "That is a prerequisite for the Slavic, i.e. Balkan world to be able to enter the European Union because there can be no European Union without that part of Europe." Prodi added "the Church has to follow that road". He also said Brussels was aware "of the important role the Catholic Church in Croatia plays in raising conscientiousness and illuminating the country's road". "We are counting on the positive contribution of the Church to the execution of the tasks awaiting us," he said. (hina) ha sb