CROATIA HAS CHANCE TO SPEED UP ACCESS TO EURO INTEGRATION-PORGES

ZAGREB, April 2 (Hina) - The context in which Croatia is seeking possibilities of accelerated integration into all Euro-Atlantic institutions, both security and economic, has been significantly changed by the developments in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro), and a real possibility is being opened for Croatia to speed up the accomplishment of those priorities of the state policy, said Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges on Friday. He held a speech at a round table organised on the occasion of the completion of the project called "Expected Impact of the Associate Membership to the EU ON Croatia's Economy: Cost-Benefit Analysis." The study was drawn up by the economic institute and the international relations institute, for the needs of the Economy Ministry. Roman Prodi (the new chairman of the European Commission) has indicted the re-definition of the regional policy. In this context, I believe, Croatia has a historic chance to get out of a relatively slow train and speed up the accomplishment of its ambitions toward the European Union," Porges said. Porges stressed that Croatia had also accelerated its work on the implementation of the project of the CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement) and was also preparing the final stage in the admittance to the WTO (World Trade Organisation). He added that lagging behind in the process of the European integration had some negative impact on Croatia's economy. It is certain that relatively small country like Croatia cannot develop a model of autistic self-sufficiency," Porges said. (hina) ms