CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

VIENNA, Nov 10 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa said in Vienna on Wednesday after talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schussel that he believed the European Union would pay adequate attention to Croatia's response to its recent Speaking Note, and would adequately recognise efforts for fair elections in Croatia to take place. Matesa arrived in Vienna on Wednesday and will on Thursday hold talks at the 5th International financial and business forum. Matesa said he had discussed with Schussel all criticisms in the EU Speaking Note and Croatia's response. "I believe that we have successfully analysed and explained important issues regarding the criticisms," Matesa said. Matesa relayed to reporters Schussel's assessment that Croatia, according to most criteria set to candidates for access into the EU, was better than some countries whose candidacy had already been accepted. According to Schussel's estimate, however, there are obstacles such as political perception and several known problems regarding the assessment of the situation in the media, the degree of respect of human rights and Croatia's cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Describing his talks with Schussel and Austrian Chancellor Viktor Klima, Matesa said they had been in the spirit of good political and economic relations between Croatia and Austria, with the wish that the relations be promoted. He added that this was a completely frank exchange of opinions about all issues between the two friendly countries who have a high level of friendly relations. (hina) lml jn