VIENNA, Dec 5 (Hina) - Croatia has a more developed economy, stronger public administration and a higher degree of macroeconomics stability than other countries in the region, and its ambitious plan of political and economic reforms
puts it in a more favourable position with regard to admission to Euro-Atlantic associations, President Stjepan Mesic said at a bilateral congress, "Croatia on the Road to the EU", in Vienna on Thursday.
VIENNA, Dec 5 (Hina) - Croatia has a more developed economy,
stronger public administration and a higher degree of
macroeconomics stability than other countries in the region, and
its ambitious plan of political and economic reforms puts it in a
more favourable position with regard to admission to Euro-Atlantic
associations, President Stjepan Mesic said at a bilateral
congress, "Croatia on the Road to the EU", in Vienna on Thursday.
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Croatia has committed itself to thorough economic reforms, a
constructive role in the process of stabilisation and association,
and a faster process of internal political democratisation, so that
it could meet conditions for admission to the EU as soon as
possible, Mesic said.
"Some recent events in Croatia could slow down our accession to the
EU to some extent. However, I want to reiterate clearly that I will
not support it, and Croatia will cooperate with the tribunal in The
Hague, in line with its constitutional and legal system and assumed
international obligations. That is why Croatia's current problems
in relations with the tribunal cannot pose a more serious threat to
its integration in the EU," the President said.
The Croatian authorities have always stated that good neighbourly
relations are not only necessary but also natural.
"However, Croatia rejects any attempt to form new state structures
in the Balkans and will advocate the development of regional ties
among independent and sovereign states. Croatia wants to remain a
factor of regional stability in south-east Europe and can help in
the integration of the Balkans," Mesic said, adding that Croatia
was also a Mediterranean country and as such wanted to contribute to
cooperation with the EU's south.
Mesic dedicated a large part of his speech to economic issues.
"Economic and social reforms in Croatia are not possible without a
wide social consensus," he said, adding that he advocated "the
Croatian model of social partnership" with consensus on crucial
issues being the basic precondition of development and economic and
other changes.
He expressed confidence that by the end of 2003 Croatia would fulfil
all of its commitments taken over with the signing of the
Stabilisation and Association Agreement. "The Croatian government
believes that by the end of 2006 or 2007 the country will reach the
required level of readiness for EU membership. Europe is
integrating and that is our destiny as well, and NATO is our
security. It is mostly up to us to determine the pace at which
Croatia will join European integration processes. The dynamics of
admission is basically determined by Croatia," Mesic concluded.
(hina) rml sb