Brussels, 27/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, President Prodi publicly supported Croatia's intention to put an official request for EU membership to the Greek Presidency in coming weeks (probably on 18 February in Athens). He stressed, however, that it would be up to Croatia to create the necessary conditions to allow membership talks to be opened (mainly compliance with political criteria). "I have always supported this country's move toward European integration", Romano Prodi told the press after a meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan. Croatia still has a great deal of work to do as the current situation leaves much to be desired in several fields, but Mr Prodi states he has already received a "clear commitment" from Mr Racan, especially with regards future cooperation of the government with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, freedom of the press, the treatment of refugees and other issues. "On all these points, there is now a very clear agreement", Mr Prodi said. "We are aware of the fact that the time when we are ready to become members of the Union mainly depends on ourselves. We are familiar with the (membership) criteria and we have work to do", Mr Racan admitted. Mr Prodi stressed the EU will apply the same criteria to Croatia as to the other candidate countries, "no more no less". Messrs Prodi and Racan refused to speculate on a possible date for accession.