PRIME MINISTER ADVOCATES CONNECTING AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM

ZAGREB, Sept 6 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said Wednesday the Government would continue working on strengthening Croatian agriculture and its competitiveness. This Government had, even in difficult circumstances, shown interest in settling the situation in agriculture, which is would continue doing, Racan said after talks with officials of the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry. We have not yet solved all problems, we are not satisfied with productivity in agriculture, its connection with tourism. Racan said he hoped this year's tourism boom in the country would show the way to work in the future. The Government wishes a better evidence into food balances, which was the Ministry's task. We must help agriculture co-operatives stand on their own feet in economy and on the market, he stressed. Racan assessed that the Government had done everything it could for agriculture in the difficult circumstances, including stimulations funds for production. We will continue to do this in the future, Racan said, adding some direct results would be visible on Thursday in the Government's task plan for the period until the end of the year. The Government would also try to help areas struck by droughts, fires and hale. (hina) lml