EUROPEAN COMMISSION FACT-FINDING MISSION VISITS ECONOMY MINISTRY

ZAGREB, Mar 8 (Hina) - Officials in the Croatian Ministry of Economy on Wednesday held a meeting with members of the European Commission Fact-Finding Mission. The Mission is visiting Croatia to compile a report on the feasibility of commencing negotiations on an agreement on association and stabilisation between the European Union (EU) and Croatia, and to gather information on the Croatian government's short-term and medium-term priorities in certain sectors. The Croatian economy minister's assistant for international economic relations, Olgica Spevec, acquainted the Mission members with the condition of Croatia's negotiations on accessing the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The only obstacle in the matter is the issue of audio-visual services, which is the consequence of different views by the United States and the EU. Membership in the WTO is crucial for Croatia for several reasons, of which the most important are transparency and security necessary to attract foreign investment, integration with regional organisations such as the Central European Free Trade Association and the EU, and in order to step up reforms in Croatia's legislation. The members of the Fact-Finding Mission were among else also acquainted with the condition of negotiations on free trade with countries in the region. Talks also tackled privatisation, public companies, and shipbuilding, the Croatian Economy Ministry said in a statement. (hina) ha mm