CROATIA, SLOVAKIA SIGN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

ZAGREB/BRATISLAVA, Nov 6 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic and Slovak counterpart Lubomir Harach signed a free trade agreement in Bratislava on Tuesday. Under the agreement, the tariff rate for the exchange of the two countries' industrial products will be zero percent, while the exchange of other products will be set on the basis of lists of the two countries' concessions. The trade between Croatian and Slovakia in the first nine months amounted to close to US$50 million. Croatia's export to Slovakia amounted to about US$12 million (37.8 percent more than in the same period in 2000). Croatia's import from Slovakia amounted to US$35.9 million or 27 percent less than in the same period the year before. After signing the agreement, Fizulic said Croatia would sign a similar free trade agreement with Poland tomorrow and with the Czech Republic in few days. He said free trade agreements with Bulgaria and Romania would be signed by late this year. By signing the agreements, Croatia will meet all conditions for membership in the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). The first two conditions have already been met -- membership in the World Trade Organisation and the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union. Slovakia will take over the chairing of the CEFTA in February 2002, Fizulic said and added that during Croatia would become a CEFTA member during Slovakia's presidency. (hina) it