ATHENS: CROATIAN, GREEK MINISTERS HOLD TALKS

ATHENS, Sept 6 (Hina) - Croatia's European Integration Minister Neven Mimica discussed the process of Croatia's rapprochement with the European Union with Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister Tasos Yiannitsis in Athens on Thursday, the Croatian European Integration Ministry said in a statement on Friday. #L# Mimica said Croatia expected that in the meantime the EU will politically commit to linking the stabilisation and association process in Southeast Europe with the EU expansion process. Mimica said Croatia attached special importance to the Greek presidency over the EU in the first half of 2003, when it will be necessary to pass decisions on the strengthening of the stabilisation and association process. A necessary element of that process is Croatia's application for membership in the EU early next year and the recognition as soon as possible of its status as a EU member candidate, said Mimica. Minister Yiannitsis said Greece was interested in the stabilisation of Southeast Europe and the inclusion of all its countries in the EU on the basis of individual achievement. This will be reflected in Greece's presidency over the EU, he said. (hina) ha