ECONOMIC FORUM OF DANUBE BASIN REGIONS TO BE HELD IN OSIJEK

OSIJEK, Oct 2 (Hina) - An economic forum of the working community of the Danube River Basin's regions will take place in the eastern Croatian city of Osijek on 3 and 4 October. The sponsor of the event is Croatia's Government, and it will be organised by Croatian ministries of foreign affairs and economy, Osijek-Baranja and Vukovar-Sirmium counties and a local chamber of commerce. This forum as well as a forum of culture which is to be held in Osijek, Vukovar and Ilok simultaneously are the introductory part of the 5-6 October conference of regional authorities in Zagreb. This working community, established on 17 May 1990 in Vienna, gathers 23 members from 11 countries. Its intention is to stimulate the cooperation of regions in the Danube River basin in fields of economy, transport, zoning, tourism, culture, science and environmental protection. Croatia, which became its full member in 1991, is chairing the community this year. It will be succeeded by the Bulgarian region of Russe takes over it. An official in Croatia's Foreign Ministry today said the community did not have a high political profile but through the development of the economic, scientific and cultural cooperation it helped Croatia's bids to come closer to the European Union. The economic forum in Osijek is viewed as the crown of Croatia's chairmanship. During the Osijek forum, another events will also be held such a round table on possibilities of regional authorities to stimulate direct foreign investments and the Osijek Autumn Fair. (hina) ms