The talks focused on the first review of the stand-by arrangement which the IMF approved for Zagreb in August 2004, and Minister Suker informed the IMF officials of the economic policy which the Ivo Sanader cabinet is planning to carry out until the end of this year, the press release read.
Accordingly, the discussions were held on revisions of the budget which the Croatian government announced last week as well as on the government's plans regarding structural reforms.
The purpose of correction of the budget is to ensure for a general state deficit to be 4.2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product in 2005 and to ensure the continuation of the consolidation of the public finance, the release read.
In addition, "the acceleration of the process of restructuring public companies, reforms in the health sector and cuts in state subventions will further strengthen the stability of the budget and enable additional savings in a budget for the next year."
"The delegation reached a high level of agreement with the IMF, and the talks will continue," the release read.