SKEGRO: CROATIA SHOULD BEHAVE AS IF IT HAD ALREADY BECOME EU MEMBE

MEMBE $ R SALZBURG, 9 July (Hina) - Tuesday evening Salzburg saw the closing of the first economic summit of central and eastern European countries, sponsored by the World Economic Forum. Meeting in plenary and group sessions, the summit discussed potentials for economic growth, financial and political stability and the developmet of the key branches, as well as mechanisms for membership in the European Union and NATO. The Croatian delegations is leaving Salzburg with good feelings because Croatian achievements, i.e. low inflation rate, low budget deficit, high hard currency reserves and stable prices are comparing favorably with other transition countries, said Croatian Deputy PM Branimir Skegro, head of the Croatian delegation. The EU will grant membership to those countries that meet certain criteria by deadlines envisaged, which means that Croatia should behave as if it had already become a member, said Skegro. So far Luxembourg and Croatia have been the only countries that have met all the criteria set by the EU summit in Maastricht. (Hina) mr/jn 092221 MET jul 96