CROATIA, GREECE SIGN ECONOMY COOPERATION PROTOCOL

ZAGREB, May 18 (Hina) - Croatian and Greek deputy economy ministers Maja Brinar and Yiannis Zafiropoulos signed a protocol on economic cooperation between the two countries Friday. The signed agreement is another contribution to the development, of primarily, trade relations between the two countries, Brinar said. Ship building is the industrial backbone in which Croatia sees the further development of the foreign trade balance. In Croatia's exports into Greece so far, ship building has made up for 60 percent. Brinar stressed ship building projects worth US$247 million have already been agreed for Greek customers, and the two countries are also expected t strengthen cooperation in agriculture and tourism. The Greek government is prepared to help the Croatian government in overcoming difficulties in Croatia's accession into European associations, Zafiropoulos said. He stressed the meeting of the Croatian-Greek Joint Commission, which took place ahead of the protocol signing, promotes relations between the two countries. Zafiropoulos pointed out the significance of Croatia's contribution in the formation of a new economic development in this part of Europe. During today's meeting in Zagreb, Greek and Croatian delegations spoke about the privatisation process, investment benefits, and legal regulations concerning foreign investments. Greece expressed interest in the areas of banking, energy supply and tourism. (hina) lml