NORWAY SUPPORTS CRO GOVT'S REFORMS AND COOPERATION WITH ICTY

ZAGREB, Dec 20 (Hina) - Norway supports political and economic reforms undertaken by the Croatian government, particularly cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said after talks with Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan in Zagreb on Wednesday. We want to support the Croatian government, particularly Prime Minister Racan in the implementation of a programme of reforms they have started. Also, we strongly support the cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, Stoltenberg said. In order to support the reform process in Croatia, Norway decided to double the economic assistance from DM12.2 million to DM24.4 million in 2001, Stoltenberg added. Racan thanked the Norwegian Prime Minister on the financial aid "which will be earmarked for the solving of most difficult problems in war affected areas - the problems of refugees and the reconstruction of houses". Racan, however, stressed that Croatia's long term goal was not Norway's financial aid to Croatia but the development of a long term cooperation between the two countries. The two Prime Ministers said the cooperation between Croatia and Norway was extremely good in politics and economy. The Norwegian Prime Minister stressed that all conditions for economic cooperation had been created. "Croatia and Norway are maritime countries with developed fishing trade and shipbuilding industry", Stoltenberg said. (Hina) it