The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, participated in an international conference of economic experts in Dubrovnik, stressed that Croatia should accelerate economic growth and implement reforms that are necessary steps for the country's progress.

- When and how Croatia becomes part of the Eurozone, it is a matter for the Croatian Government and the European Union. Every new member of the EU had to go through tough and painful reforms to adopt the Euro as their official currency. The Croatian National Bank must be independent. There are many criteria to be fulfilled to enter the Eurozone and I am optimistic that the Croatian economy and the Croatian people will have their vision and will eventually go in the right direction towards the goal – commented Lagarde on the final day of the congress in Dubrovnik. Adding that the IMF is always looking for ways to motivate young people to stay in their homeland and create the future of their country.

- In the IMF we have seen a lot of changes in Croatia. I would say that every government should be transparent. Governments will come and go but it is important what they leave behind, which laws and which reforms they introduce – said the IMF director.

According to Governor of the Croatian National Bank, Boris Vujčić, the Dubrovnik congress was attended by 30 finance ministers from central, eastern and south-east Europe and numerous financial experts and was very constructive and will help with measures to accelerate economic growth in Croatia.