Croatia could wrap up EU talks in 2009, Austria and Czech PMs say

(VIENNA) - Austria and the Czech Republic believe Croatia will be ready to tie up its EU accession as early as 2009, their prime ministers said Monday after meeting in Vienna.

"Both our countries support Croatia's entry to the European Union and we believe the new (Croatian) government will be able to meet the necessary criteria for entry in 2009," said Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer.

That would mean Croatia becoming the 28th EU member state in 2010.

Czech counterpart Mirek Topolanek added that the Czech Republic, which will xzassume the EU presidency for the first half of next year, expects to play a "leading role" in Croatia's accession negotiations.

Croatia started talks on joining the EU in 2005, at the same time as Turkey, but is much further down the road towards acceptance with 16 of the 35 so-called policy chapters which determine formal entry already open.

But it remains embroiled in a row over fishing rights in the Adriatic Sea, with the European Commission having warned Croatia on January 1 that accession talks could be derailed if it enforces a planned protection zone.

Croatia's Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, due to unveil a new coalition government on January 11 following elections at the end of November, has said accelerating the accession process is a key priority.