PREMIER RACAN GIVES SPEECH AT SPECIAL PARLIAMENT SESSION

ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - "On January 15, 1992, Croatia became an internationally recognised state. Today, ten years later, Croatia is a member of Partnership for Peace, a group of NATO candidates - the Vilnius group, the World Trade Organisation, and is on the way to becoming a full member of the CEFTA. What we are especially proud of is that Croatia marks the 10th anniversary of its international recognition as a country which was given the index of a completely free country for the first time in a Freedom House report," Racan said at a special parliament session on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Croatia's recognition by the international community. "The day of Croatia's international recognition, January 15, 1992, is a symbolic watershed between the past - when the state's recognition and independence was a dream - and the present - when we are living in an independent and recognised state. The price of freedom was enormous. Thus, we must never, especially today, when we are marking the 10th anniversary of international recognition, forget those who suffered the most, those who gave their lives for the homeland," the prime minister said. Recalling the war, the enormous sacrifices and credits, which should go primarily to soldiers, Racan said that Croatia's independence and its international recognition had been gained thanks to the unity of the Croatian people in a difficult struggle, adding that the then state leadership also deserved commendation. "Unfortunately, too much time has passed from the international recognition to the moment Croatia became a welcome partner for Europe and the world. At the beginning of 2000, after the January 3 elections, Croatia entered an intensive process of reorganisation into a modern, European state. This enabled the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, and extensive work on its implementation has begun," Racan said. He stressed the government had to do everything necessary to submit a request for full membership in the EU by January 15 next year. The government has no doubts, there is no other path for Croatia but the one we are on - the path to Europe, Racan said. Speaking about the past two years, the prime minister said the government had neutralised most of the negative legacy and created conditions for economic prosperity in the years to come. Croatia has improved its financial and credit rating, reduced its internal debt, stabilised the financial market and initiated a number of reforms, from economy to the pension system, Racan said. He recalled some strategic projects, including the construction of a highway from Zagreb to Split, as well as the stimulation of employment. "Today we are fully aware that we can protect and consolidate what we fought for in the Homeland War and what the world recognised on January 15 - an independent and sovereign Croatia - only by strengthening democracy, respecting the rule of law and human rights and freedoms, and ensuring economic prosperity and mutual dialogue and tolerance," Racan said. (hina) lml sb