VIENNA, June 10 (Hina) - The countries of South-East Europe, which have a market of 55 million people, have lately been achieving important results with regard to macro-economic and financial stability, the adoption of a transparent
legal framework, low inflation, higher foreign currency reserves, the removal of administrative obstacles to foreign investments, and regional cooperation.
VIENNA, June 10 (Hina) - The countries of South-East Europe, which
have a market of 55 million people, have lately been achieving
important results with regard to macro-economic and financial
stability, the adoption of a transparent legal framework, low
inflation, higher foreign currency reserves, the removal of
administrative obstacles to foreign investments, and regional
cooperation. #L#
This statement was made at a round table on steps to be taken to
ensure stability in South-East European countries and the region,
held on Monday afternoon at the forum "Europe Without Frontiers".
The forum is held in Vienna on the occasion of the 75th anniversary
of Raiffeisenbank Oesterreich (RZB).
Erhard Busek, Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for South-
East Europe, said that countries in the region should decide about
their priorities on their own.
Representatives of central banks and finance and economy
ministries from Romania, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria agreed that regional cooperation was a
necessity, which they said was proven with joint projects,
including the project of traffic corridor 10, the construction of
bridges between Romania and Bulgaria, and some projects within the
Stability Pact.
Croatia's Deputy Economy Minister Damir Kustrak believes that
cooperation in the region is necessary but that the individual
approach is a better model of EU enlargement. Asked about the fight
against corruption, Kustrak said the situation was improving.
Commenting on cooperation in the region, Yugoslav National Bank
governor Mladjan Dinkic said that the visa regime between
Yugoslavia and Croatia had been simplified and stressed that the
Yugoslav market needed good products and investments.
Bosnia-Herzegovina Treasury Minister Ante Domazet believes that
regional cooperation in preventing crime, including tobacco
smuggling, is particularly important. He also advocates the
unification of tobacco taxes in the region.
Representatives of some 100 companies from the region, including
Croatian companies, spoke about their views and experience
regarding regional cooperation.
Attending the meeting were representatives from the Croatian Bank
for Reconstruction and Development, Badel 1862, CROSCO, Siemens
Croatia, the Croatian Power Industry, Orbico, Podravka, Koncar
D&T, Vetropack, and Raiffeisenbank Austria dd Zagreb.
(hina) rml