ZAGREB, Jan 23 (Hina) - Croatia's future Premier-Designate, Ivica Racan, said on Sunday the coalition of six parties (SDP, HSLS, HSS, HNS, LS, IDS) had not yet formed a new government, but voiced hope they would do it until Thursday,
27 January. "We have determined nothing yet," Racan said after a three-hour-long session of the leaders of the six parties. Sabor President Vlatko Pavletic, who is the acting President of Croatia, previously announced he would appoint Racan as the premier on 27 January and on that day he would be able to appoint the entire government if he received a list of its members. On Sunday the President of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said he and coalition partners should define the composition of the Government on Wednesday and not later than Thursday morning. "Yes, it is my ambition," Racan answered a question whether on Thursday he would propose to Pavletic member
ZAGREB, Jan 23 (Hina) - Croatia's future Premier-Designate, Ivica
Racan, said on Sunday the coalition of six parties (SDP, HSLS, HSS,
HNS, LS, IDS) had not yet formed a new government, but voiced hope
they would do it until Thursday, 27 January.
"We have determined nothing yet," Racan said after a three-hour-
long session of the leaders of the six parties.
Sabor President Vlatko Pavletic, who is the acting President of
Croatia, previously announced he would appoint Racan as the premier
on 27 January and on that day he would be able to appoint the entire
government if he received a list of its members.
On Sunday the President of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said he
and coalition partners should define the composition of the
Government on Wednesday and not later than Thursday morning.
"Yes, it is my ambition," Racan answered a question whether on
Thursday he would propose to Pavletic members of the new
government.
The future Premier-Designate added he would do so if all his
coalition partners were responsible, but declined to explain what
he exactly meant in that context.
Racan added that on 14 and 15 February he would conduct a visit to
Brussels at an official invitation from the European Union which he
expects to receive tomorrow. Prior to Brussels he is to travel to
Lisbon where he will meet the Premier of Portugal, as this country
is holding now the rotating presidency over the EU.
His visit to Brussels presents a continuation of talks Racan led
recently with the European Commission President Romano Prodi about
first steps towards Croatia's admission to the EU.
Racan said the first step would be to conclude an agreement on the
commercial cooperation between Croatia and the EU, establish EU
Embassy and the Office of the European Investment Bank in Zagreb as
well as to enable Croatia to have access to the CARA programme which
is the replacement for the PHARE-programme.
(hina) ms