EC & TOWN OF LIPIK SIGN RECONSTRUCTION AND MINE REMOVAL AGREEMENT

LIPIK, Feb 5 (Hina) - Representatives of the town of Lipik and Pozega County (western Slavonia) and the European Community on Friday signed an agreement on reconstruction and mine removal. According to the agreement, the European Union will invest US $1,150,000 in the reconstruction of family houses in Lipik and the village of Kukunjevac (Lipik municipality), as well as provide funding for the removal of mines in the area. The reconstruction of houses, which were destroyed in the war, will be carried out by the German non-government organisation "Arbeiter Samariter Bund". Alfons Peeters, head of the "Arbeiter Samariter Bund" office in Croatia, signed the agreement on behalf of his organisation. Mayor Stjepan Horvat and County Prefect Anto Bagaric signed the agreement on behalf of the town of Lipik and Pozega County respectively. The signing ceremony was also attended by representatives of international organisations in Croatia, Lipik town councillors and MP Ivan Marijanovic. Head of the "Arbeiter Samariter Bund" Peeters announced further help in the reconstruction of not only family houses but also commercial facilities as well as the signing of a similar agreement with the town of Pakrac. (hina) rml