SABOR CONFIRMS CONTRACTS ON IBRD LOAN

ZAGREB, Jan 23 (Hina) - Continuing its 29th sitting, the Croatian parliament on Thursday morning adopted bills confirming contracts between the Croatian government and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development on loans for reconstruction and development, investments in the pension insurance system, and the regulation of land registers. The bills were debated yesterday. #L# The USD27.5 million loan for reconstruction and development, which is intended for investments in the pension insurance system, is to be repaid in 15 years and has a grace of five years. Funds for the regulation of land registers amount to 26 million euros, are to be repaid in 15 years and were granted with a five-year grace. Parliamentary deputies voted for laws confirming Croatia's free trade agreements with Lithuania and Albania, as well as a law confirming an agreement between Croatia and Yugoslavia on avoiding double taxation on income and property. The parliament also adopted laws confirming an agreement between the Croatian and Yugoslav governments, and the Croatian government and Bosnia's Council of Ministers on cooperation in combating organised crime, drug smuggling and terrorism. The Sabor adopted a law confirming an agreement with the Slovene government on local border police cooperation, a law confirming an agreement with Bosnia-Herzegovina on legal assistance in civil and criminal matters, and a decision on the re-allocation of funds for and the obligations, rights and assignment of Croatian Radio Television employees. The MPs continued the session with a debate on a bill on family, marriage and common-law marriage. (hina) rml