FOREIGN MINISTRY PRESENTS NEW INFORMATION-COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

ZAGREB, Dec 23 (Hina) - The Croatian Foreign Ministry has introduced the information-communication system IKOS, which revolutionises and completely changes the Ministry's communication system, Minister Tonino Picula said at a news conference in Zagreb on Monday. #L# The 2.8-million-kuna-worth system facilitates communication in three segments and makes it cheaper: in consular services (speedier issuing of passports for Croatian citizens abroad and of visas for foreigners entering Croatia), political documentation, and the redesign of web sites for citizens. "The IKOS project revolutionises the foreign affairs service's information system and completely changes the current form of communication," Picula says in a brochure distributed to reporters and representatives from state services. The current slow, unreliable and expensive communication channels (telex, messenger service and diplomatic mail) will be replaced with the system facilitating a fast exchange of information between the ministry and some 80 diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad, with automatic recording, filing and search. The project is an introduction into a comprehensive process of computerisation of the state administration, which, among other things, should facilitate the process of Croatia's drawing closer to European associations. "Shortening deadlines and speeding up reforms is possible only with the application of new technology," Vice-Premier Goran Granic said. Granic announced the introduction of a single communication system in the state administration, judiciary and, possibly, in the local administration in 2003. The original Croatian project, IKOS was devised by EUROCOMPUTER SYSTEMS, EPSILON and NOVENA companies. It enables easy navigation, with quick access to information and links to the latest developments and processes in the foreign policy. (hina) rml