CRO ECONOMY MINISTER RECEIVES U.S. AMBASSADOR

ZAGREB, Feb 11 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic on Friday received United States Ambassador to Croatia William Montgomery, the Economy Ministry said in a statement. Fizulic acquainted the ambassador with the basic objectives of the new Croatian government's economic policy over the next four years. Croatia's integration with international economic structures holds an important position in the said policy, and membership in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is a precondition for access, said the statement. Minister Fizulic said of great importance for the Croatian government was the settlement of Croatia's open issue in negotiations with the WTO, regarding audio-visual services. Since the settlement of the issue requires a U.S.-France agreement, he urged Ambassador Montgomery to notify U.S. authorities of the significance the issue has for Croatia in view of finding a solution as soon as possible. Montgomery handed Fizulic an invitation to participate, with a Croatian delegation, in a conference the U.S. government was organising on Southeast Europe and the WTO. Today's talks also tackled other issues of economic co-operation, especially U.S. companies' major investment projects in Croatia. (hina) ha mm