CROATIA MUST AT ONCE BEGIN ADAPTING TO EU - SAYS MINISTER

ZAGREB, Jan 28 (Hina) - Croatian Minister for European Integration Ljerka Mintas-Hodak on Thursday said Croatia must begin with all necessary reforms and adaptations to the European system now, regardless of when it will establish institutional ties with the European Union (EU). "Even though it still doesn't have institutional ties with the EU, Croatia has been trying to stay within integration processes," Mintas-Hodak told reporters in Zagreb. The Croatian government to that effect established an office for European integration on April 22, 1998. Its chief task is assistance in adjusting activities in the government and bodies of state authority related to integration with European institutions. Asked to comment on recent statements by European officials that the first extension of the EU will take place around 2006, and the second around 2014, Mintas-Hodak said accessing the EU was a long- term process which had no alternatives for Croatia. It was not so important when access would happen, but to make all necessary preparations and changes, she said. "The one starting last isn't necessarily the last to reach the goal," Mintas-Hodak said. (hina) ha mm