PM SAYS WILL TAKE ANSWERS TO EC QUESTIONNAIRE TO BRUSSELS IN OCT.

ZAGREB, Sept 19 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Friday he would bring Croatia's answers to a European Commission questionnaire -- necessary to evaluate Croatia's EU membership application -- to Brussels early in October. #L# "This important task is nearing completion and I'm taking the answers to Brussels in early October," the PM said at the official presentation of a World Bank economic memorandum for Croatia. The memorandum analyses the possibilities of economic growth through the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and through European integration. The study concludes that Croatia's economic growth and integration into the European Union are interrelated, that it is necessary to ensure a stable macroeconomic framework, settle critical bottlenecks (legal issues, judiciary, state administration), continue with regulatory reforms, and carefully evaluate costs and benefits during the gradual implementation of reforms in agriculture and environmental protection. The key challenges facing Croatia are deeper reforms and faster implementation thereof in view of promoting competitiveness and increasing living standards for all, said Anand K. Seth, the World Bank's new director for South and Central Europe. Racan said Croatia was on a good road to development and that the World Bank's memorandum provided good answers to weak points and problems. (hina) ha