BRUSSELS, Feb 14 (Hina) - Following a news conference in Brussels on Monday, at which he presented the main segments of the Government's programme, Premier Ivica Racan answered several questions by Croatian reporters who are covering
the visit of the Croatian delegation. Racan said that "all talks have shown that the EU recognises in Croatia a desirable partner." "Our accession to the EU as a full member will be accelerated depending on what we will be doing in Croatia, for our own sake," Racan told reporters who were mostly interested in his assessment of the rate at which Croatia would be accessing the EU. The Croatian premier expects that "in the course of this year, the EU will make decisions on talks for a further step in Croatia's drawing closer (to the EU)." Racan also expects that "Croatia will be able to use different forms of EU's political and economic programmes, which we coul
BRUSSELS, Feb 14 (Hina) - Following a news conference in Brussels on
Monday, at which he presented the main segments of the Government's
programme, Premier Ivica Racan answered several questions by
Croatian reporters who are covering the visit of the Croatian
delegation.
Racan said that "all talks have shown that the EU recognises in
Croatia a desirable partner."
"Our accession to the EU as a full member will be accelerated
depending on what we will be doing in Croatia, for our own sake,"
Racan told reporters who were mostly interested in his assessment
of the rate at which Croatia would be accessing the EU.
The Croatian premier expects that "in the course of this year, the
EU will make decisions on talks for a further step in Croatia's
drawing closer (to the EU)."
Racan also expects that "Croatia will be able to use different forms
of EU's political and economic programmes, which we could use
well."
"We estimate that Croatia is really good news for democratic Europe
and the EU but we also know that one piece of news is not enough,"
Racan said, adding the EU was ready to speed up Croatia's admission,
however, that depended on "what we in Croatia will be doing".
"We are aware that what we will be doing in the next six to eight
months in the field of interior and foreign affairs will pave the
way which Croatia will be treading for many years to come."
On Tuesday morning the Croatian government delegation will visit
the NATO headquarters and meet Secretary-General George Robertson
and permanent representatives of 19 NATO member-countries.
The Croatian delegation will also meet EU's high commissioner for
foreign policy and security, Javier Solana.
(hina) rml