PREMIER CALLS ON SABOR TO BACK NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR ENTRY IN EU

ZAGREB, Dec 18 (Hina) - Premier Ivica Racan on Wednesday said that by the adoption of a national programme for the country's association with the European Union, Croatia could submit its application for the candidature in February 2003 in order that by mid-2004 it could get a status of candidate and until 2006 may fulfil conditions for the entry to the EU in the next round of its expansion. #L# At today's extraordinary session of the parliament, convened at the request of the government to discuss and pass the national programme, PM Racan said 80 percent of citizens supported Croatia's accelerated admission to the Union. He voiced confidence that in 2004 Croatia could reach levels of democratic and legal criteria, set at the recent EU Copenhagen summit, and that Zagreb could, together with Romania and Bulgaria, become a EU member or be admitted individually. The application for the candidature, which the government should submit to Brussels in February next year, is not urgent, Racan said, adding that it was important that the national programme on the issue be supported by all political parties and that the issue regarding the country's bids to enter the EU should not be a topic used in the pre-election campaign. The application which could be submitted next February will strengthen Croatia's position in negotiations and foreign affairs, Racan asserted. He added that the national programme should also encourage the state institution to work more efficiently so that Croatia might join the Union as soon as possible, as this programme facilitates the implementation of 80 percent of obligations, defined in the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, by late 2003. Speaking about the fulfilment of pre-conditions for the membership in the Union, such as a reform in the judiciary and return of refugees, the premier said those were processes under way, which were heading towards a clear completion (hina) ms