NEW CHAPTER IN CROATIA-EU RELATIONS IS BEING OPENED

ZAGREB, Jan 14 (Hina) - The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, and Croatia's possible future premier designate Ivica Racan said in Zagreb on Friday they believed a new chapter in relations between Croatia and the European Union was being opened. Following an one-hour meeting with Racan, Prodi said the purpose of his visit was for him to express the EU's stands regarding the development of the political situation in Croatia. He added he and Racan were convinced that a new chapter in Croatia-EU relations was being opened. According to Prodi, the intensifying of relations between Croatia and the EU should help the country as regards its economy and social situation. The atmosphere of openness, democracy and trust will contribute to the long-term stability and peace in the region, Prodi said, adding concrete forms of cooperation would be initiated as short-term measures. Racan said the new authority wanted to prove that national interests were best protected through cooperation with Europe, especially the EU. "We know which changes, for our own sake, we must make in the country's economic and political life, and we believe the EU will recognise this and that Croatia will be recognised as a good business and political partner," Racan said. Asked whether he intended to visit Brussels soon, Racan said visits to some European capitals, including Brussels, Rome, Paris, London and Berlin could ensue in a month's time, following the constituting of the new authority and the take-over of offices. "There is no reason to go to Brussels to seek support in principle, because we heard that here today; we will rather go there to discuss concrete forms of cooperation," Racan said. (hina) mm rml