GOVERNMENT PASSES MEASURES ON REFORM OF PENSION INSURANCE

ZAGREB, June 7 (Hina) - At today's session the Croatian government adopted a report on last year's budget, which it will forward to the parliament, the government's public relations office reported after the closed-door meeting. The government supported the text of a memorandum on understanding on the liberalisation and facilitating trade within the Stability Pact framework. The signing of the memorandum, scheduled for June 27 in Brussels, will enable Croatia to confirm its opting for the further liberalisation of trade. In line with the government's firm stance that the national pension insurance reform begin on January 1, 2002, the government today decided on measures enabling the drawing up of a central registry of pensioners, and a quicker and more efficient data base. The government also adopted a motion on decreasing customs tariffs for the import of live pigs, heifers, calves and raw distillation material, as well as unprocessed sugar, all within World Trade Organisation quota. Ranko Marijan was today resolved of the duty of deputy justice, administration and local self-government minister, at his own request. (hina) lml sb