Zagreb, July 11, 2003 (IKA) – “The Catholic Church in Croatia has always had an important role in the formation of consciences and lighting the path of the country. We are counting on its positive contribution in implementing the task that we must fulfill,” said the president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, after a meeting with the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb, held on Thursday, July 10, at the residence of the archbishop in Zagreb. Referring to the European processes of integration that are in progress, he emphasized the very important role of the Church, stating that Europe cannot be built solely upon commercial relations but also upon principles that differ from those upon which modern states originate. “These are the principles of equality and the democratic acceptance of the new Europe. These are principles that are not only the foundations of a state but also Christian,” said Prodi. Recalling the Pope’s words that Europe must breathe with both lungs, he said that this is a prerequisite for the Slavic world to enter the European Union, because, there cannot be a European Union without this part of Europe and the Church must follow that path. He added that what can be prepared has been prepared in order for all of Europe to become united. He considered it very important to point out that attempts are underway to create something new and for the first time to try to build our destiny without tanks. Commenting on the prospects for the entry of Croatia into the European Union, the president of the European Commission expressed optimism due to the speed at which Croatia has entered the unification process. He also mentioned that perhaps bureaucratically but also with a friendly heart, he had brought a questionnaire with approximately 2,500 questions to begin the work of adapting administrative regulations to the European Union. He said, furthermore, that it was difficult to specify the date of Croatia’s entry into the European Union.