CROATIA, SLOVENIA SIGN KRSKO NUCLEAR POWER PLANT DEAL

KRSKO, Dec 19 (Hina) - Croatia and Slovenia signed an agreement on the regulation of status and other legal relations concerning the jointly owned nuclear power plant Krsko in Krsko, Slovenia on Wednesday. The agreement was signed by Croatian Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic and Slovene Environmental Protection and Zoning Minister Janez Kopac. The two prime ministers, Croatia's Ivica Racan and Slovenia's Janez Drnovsek, were also present. Racan told reporters afterwards the signing of the Krsko border deal had settled one of the open issues between the two countries, to mutual benefit. He is also satisfied that by signing the deal, Croatia has restored its "co-ownership status and active management of the nuclear power plant." The reactivation of the Croatian part of Krsko into the Croatian power supply system will meet approximately one fifth of Croatia's needs, said Racan, adding the Krsko plant was Croatia's biggest foreign investment, worth about US$600 million. The two prime ministers expect the other open issues between Croatia and Slovenia will be settled as well. Drnovsek emphasised the importance Slovenia attached to an initialled border deal. He reiterated his government's position that Ljubljana considered the negotiating on the border completed and expected the deal would be signed and ratified by the Croatian parliament. (hina) ha sb