RELATIONS BETWEEN STATE AND CHURCH IMPORTANT FOR CRO'S FUTURE

ZAGREB, March 24 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said Friday the Government would next week establish a commission for relations with the Church which would solve concrete issues. After his first official meeting with the president of the Croatian Bishops' Conference, Zagreb's Archbishop Josip Bozanic, Racan expressed satisfaction with the talks, adding this was "good for the Church and for the state". Racan stressed the Government was firm in its intention to respect signed international commitments, that is, agreements between the Holy See and Croatia. We agreed to cooperate in the implementation of these agreements and removal of possible difficulties, he said, adding that the Government would thus establish a commission for relations with the Church next week, through which "we intend to solve concrete issues relating to the Church." Racan said the talks focused on outstanding issues and the situation in Croatia, especially relations between the Church and the state. "We are both aware of the fact that these relations are important for the stability and future of Croatia and that the solving of possible problems could contribute to this. Moreover, we need to ensure such a cooperation to avoid the church being a stage to the state and vice-versa," Racan said. "Every side has its role, its part of the job in Croatia and cooperation must be indicated in all this," he said. The role of the Catholic Church in Croatia was a great one and is an integral part of the identity of Croatia and its people. During the talks I said it was "very important to develop in the democratic Croatia tolerance, freedom of awareness, faith, not impose world-views, and thus contribute t consolidating Croatia as a normal democratic country," Racan asserted. (hina) lml mm