ZAGREB, April 20 (Hina) - Five international fairs on the theme of construction and furnishing opened in Zagreb on Tuesday, bringing together 1,530 exhibitors from 32 countries.
ZAGREB, April 20 (Hina) - Five international fairs on the theme of
construction and furnishing opened in Zagreb on Tuesday, bringing
together 1,530 exhibitors from 32 countries. #L#
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said that
the opening of the fairs took place on a historic day for Croatia when
the European Commission was due to issue an opinion on its EU
membership application. Sanader said he expected a positive opinion.
The positive avis and the expected decision on receiving a candidate
status in June, as well as the start of negotiations on full EU
membership will dramatically change Croatia's position, the PM said.
This will be the definite message to foreign investors that Croatia is
a stable country, associated with the EU, in which they could count on
business operations for a longer period of time, 15-20 years in
advance, Sanader stressed.
By 2007 or 2008 when Croatia hopes to become a full member of the EU,
it is necessary to increase Croatia's exports and solve such problems
as a high foreign debt and unemployment rate, a high balance of
payments deficit, high taxes and contributions and an overburdened
judiciary, Sanader said.
At the end of this government's term, when the country will receive a
ticket for EU membership, I see Croatia as a prestigious tourist
destination, as a country of growing economy based on new technologies
and the production and, export of high quality products, and as a
country of satisfied citizens, Sanader said
(Hina) it sb