EUROPEAN COMMISSION HEAD PRODI MEETS CROATIA'S RACAN

BRUSSELS, Feb 14 (Hina) - European Commission (EC) president Romano Prodi on Monday reiterated the European Union was supporting Croatia's newly-elected government in its endeavours to approach the Union. Following today's hour-long meeting with Croatian Premier Ivica Racan in Brussels, Prodi said talks tackled concrete forms of political and economic cooperation the EC would extend in support to the efforts of the Croatian government. The next steps in political cooperation will be the opening of a permanent EC office in Zagreb, and a visit EC commissioner Chris Patten will make to the Croatian capital in March, Prodi said. He added the talks also tackled forms of economic support, and mentioned the possibility of arrangements with the European Bank. Expressing great satisfaction with today's talks, Croatia's newly- elected Premier Racan told reporters he had acquainted Prodi with the programme of Croatia's new government. "We briefed Prodi on the programe, as well as on what we are already doing, its realisation over the past month," said Racan. The programme's starting point is clear, he emphasised. "We will do everything we can to win full membership in the (European) Union as soon as possible." "We know we have a big responsibility. We are willing to be judged by what we do," Croatia's prime minister told Croatian and foreign reporters in Brussels. Racan arrived in Brussels on Sunday evening for a two-day visit at the head of a delegation which also includes Croatia's Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and European Integration Minister Ivan Jakovcic. (hina) ha