She was speaking to reporters in Ankara, commenting on today's figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics that Croatia's GDP in third quarter of 2010 had grown up 0.2 per cent on the year in real terms.

"I think it's good that after a decline in six consecutive quarters, we can say that the beginning of GDP growth in the third quarter is really proof that we have definitely started swimming towards a way out of the crisis and that these are the first, but good indicators."

Kosor said she was certain that next year's growth would be 1.5 per cent, 2 per cent in 2012 and 2.5 per cent in 2013, as the government announced when the 2011 budget was being adopted.

The PM said she remained convinced that next year's GDP growth could be even higher if most investment projects were launched.

"I think this moment should encourage us. This is a small growth, it's a first sign, the first drop in the sea, but it should encourage us to work hard, first and foremost in the implementation of the economic recovery programme. That's the key to fully implementing it, just as the World Bank and the IMF and many others are saying."

Kosor called on everyone who could help to join in - opposition parties, experts, business people and investors. She said everything had been done to facilitate investing in Croatia and that she was using her visit to Turkey to talk about the economy, investment possibilities and attracting investments.

"We have done a lot to facilitate investing and this moment gives us the right to claim that slowly, but surely, we are heading for a way out (of the crisis) and towards economic recovery, and then we have to see what else in the structure of the economy should be changed for the better," Kosor said.