WE WILL SUGGEST CROATIA'S FASTER ACCESS TO EUROPE -- RACAN

ZAGREB, Jan 24 (Hina) - Future Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Monday that during a visit to Brussels on February 14 he would suggest the fifteen foreign ministers of EU member countries for Croatia's accession into the European Union to be expedited. Racan told the Croatian Radio and Television that previous to that a precise programme of the Government would be sent to Brussels and other European cities. "We wish for Croatia to be not only a good political, but also economic partner to European countries," Racan said, adding this also meant the EU's assistance in solving the existing difficult economic and financial crises in Croatia. Asked whether this would be a request for the rescheduling of debts, Racan said it meant "assistance in certain funds which we are prepared to pay back". "How much will be debt rescheduling and how much assistance in funds will be a subject of discussion," he said. "I expect for us to materialise what we discussed in various ways in Zagreb with (EU Commission chairman Romano) Prodi and what the people at the EU are offering, which is to make a necessary, evident step in proving that we have entered a completely different phase of cooperation with the EU and that Croatia has a very good chance to reach the level of countries in the first group to join the EU. This is my goal and the goal of my government," Racan said. (hina) lml