CONDITIONS EXIST FOR CRO'S ACCESS INTO EU AND PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE

ROME, May 8 (Hina) - All conditions for Croatia's accession into NATO's Partnership for Peace Programme and the European Union exist, Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato said Monday at the beginning of a joint conference with Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan in Rome. #L# Both described the talks they held as very successful, which they underlined by signing a joint statement in front of reporters. The joint statement regulates bilateral relations, especially economic relations, but also determines a special status, which means regular annual meetings at all levels. Italy has such meeting with countries of the European Union. In line with the joint statement, the two sides will in a very short period of time begin negotiations about a new bilateral agreement to define the legal frame for consolidating cooperation and the establishment of special partnership relations, the two prime ministers said. Set were also persistent consultations at political and technical levels, and bilateral cooperation will particularly intensify in economy, trade, traffic and tourism. The two countries will encourage the promotion of various forms of economic and trade cooperation, joint investments and other forms of business transactions in all areas of common interest. Amato explained Croatian economy will be boosted so, when in the EU, it could have a competitive attitude towards others. There will also be the possibility of creating favourable working conditions of economic and financial entrepreneurs, progress in communications, tourism and environment protection will be promoted. Fishing is also one of the key themes, and possible incidents will be prevented by promoting joint scientific research in line with international law, and the creation of conditions for joint investments in the use of the fishing potentials. Other governments will cooperate in solving issues connected with the rescheduling of debts Croatia had inherited from the former Yugoslavia by signing bilateral agreements in line with decisions of the Paris Club. Croatia and Italy will continue consultations about the general situation in the Southeast of Europe and will jointly act against organised crime, encourage cooperation in areas such as defence policy, industry and equipping, as well as peace missions and humanitarian operations. Italy will support Croatia in the World Trade Organisation through training programmes in international trade. Both prime ministers asserted the agreement was intended to be signed for a period, but that the situation in relations and the general stance of Croatia following the recent elections, had contributed to the acceleration of signing of the joint statement. At the end of the conference Racan invited Amato to visit Croatia. (hina) lml