CROATIAN PM: ADMISSION IN NATO IS CROATIA'S NATIONAL INTEREST

ZAGREB, June 24 (Hina) - The security of Europe is extremely important for small Croatia, and the path toward the full membership in NATO is its national interest, Croatia's Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Monday after his talks with NATO Secretary-General George Robertson. #L# Racan said that Robertson and he had discussed what Zagreb had been doing since NATO's ministerial meeting in Reykjavik and Croatia's admission into the Membership Action Plan (MAP). The two also considered the continuation of reforms in the country's military. "We want to carry out the annual plan in compliance with obligations from the MAP as better as possible," Racan said. Croatia's task is to contribute not only to its own stability but also to the stability of the region so that "this region would no longer be a headache for the international community and NATO." Robertson, who arrived in Zagreb to attend NATO's conference, said Croatia's role in the region had become more important with Zagreb's full membership in the MAP. He said he had relayed an open and a little blunt message to Racan on what Croatia should do to become a NATO full member. The message, however, is no surprise for Croatia as it knows very well about commitments on the path towards the admission in the Alliance, Robertson said. Racan and Robertson continued their talks at the joint dinner. (hina) ms