SALZBURG: SERBIA WILL CALL ON CROATIA TO JOIN PRIVATISATION

SALZBURG, July 2 (Hina) - Serbia is dissatisfied with the established economic contacts with Croatia and plans to call upon Croatia to participate in the privatisation of Serbian companies, Serbian Finance Minister Bozidar Djelic said in Salzburg Monday. Speaking at a round table of the European Economic Summit in Salzburg minister Djelic said his ministry tried to realised contacts with all economic partners in the region. He said realising contacts with Croatia was difficult. He stressed he intended to call upon Croatia to join the privatisation process in the 7,000 companies in Serbia. The first privatisation wave will take place in the near future. Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic also insisted on a stronger economic cooperation among countries in the region. After talks with Croatian President Stipe Mesic, Djindjic said Monday the Serbian government would propose to the Croatian government to make a list of joint projects within economic cooperation. Djindjic and Djelic believe countries in the region should strengthen economic cooperation and try to have joint presentations on third markets. "We need a free trade zone, joint transit policy and joint policy against organised crime, Djindjic told Monday's issue of Austrian daily "Der Standandar". Djindjic however believes that forming a customs union in the region would be unrealistic. (hina) it