MESIC: CROATIA TO SOLVE PROBLEMS OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION BY 2010

KRAPINA, May 12 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, who on Monday visited Krapina-Zagorje County and held talks with local authorities, pointed out the importance of Croatia's orientation towards production and exports and the necessary high-quality legislation which would regulate that field. #L# "Countries in transition are competing in efforts aimed at creating as better conditions as possible for foreign investments, and Croatia needs foreign partners who have money and up-to-date technology," the head of state said. In this context, he spoke about the importance of the establishment of free zones which might stimulate creation of new jobs. Commenting on debts the country was incurring, Mesic said loans should be directed into new projects in the economy and in the infrastructure construction. He cited the ongoing building of the Zagreb-Split highway as an example of good investment. According to Mesic, the cost of construction of this highway would be paid back in a few years' time and would then make revenues for the state budget. He added that Croatia was currently the biggest construction site as regards highways, and it would have a completely constructed network of roads by 2010. Asked by reporters about "the race of those who ask for being given credit" for the building of the Zagreb-Split highway, the head of state answered that this competition was certainly for the purpose of the electoral campaign and that credit should be given to a good model of financing the project. The high-quality model of taking loans for this purpose, which makes it possible for the highway to cover the costs of its building, should be given credit, Mesic said commenting on the competition among coalition partners in trying to get merits for the construction of the said road. "Credit should be given to those who have worked out that model," the president said and added that he did not know who was the author of the model. (hina) ms