ZAGREB WILL END TALKS WITH EU SUCCESSFULLY AND QUICKLY -- JAKOVCIC

ZAGREB, Nov 19 (Hina) - Croatian Minister for European Integration Ivan Jakovcic said Sunday during a political talk show aired by the Croatian Television he expected Croatia to successfully and quickly end negotiations with the EU on the agreement on stabilisation and association. Jakovcic added Croatia had a very competent negotiating team, which was confirmed by EU ambassadors. According to him, Croatia can by 2006 be ready for full membership in the EU, and until then fulfil all criteria. "I expect serious economic development in 2002 and 2003," Jakovcic stressed, and added the revival of the economy would be felt as soon as the second half of next year. "In the next six to seven years Croatia will gradually liberalise its market. I would say 95 per cent of our products, even more, is open for the European marked," he said. Technical assistance provided to Croatia is too small, Jakovcic deems. Croatia this year received only several million euro, he said. Croatia has problems in the economy and justice system, so investors and foreign capital cannot arrive here over night, Jakovcic warned. However, he added, the signing of the agreement on stabilisation and association with the EU will be proof "to all potential partners" that we are a stable and safe environment. Asked to state what is offered and asked for by Croatia's negotiation programme which the Government will present on November 23, Jakovcic said an accent had been put on economic elements. "I had, together with my colleagues at the European Integration Ministry and some dozen other ministries, co-ordinated the drafting of the document," he said. Jakovcic reiterated Croatia needed foreign capital, connection of Croatian economy with others, joint ventures, etc. The state wishes to privatise state property, "but also protect employees with state-owned companies", he said. (hina) lml