ANOTHER 84 FLATS RECONSTRUCTED IN VUKOVAR

VUKOVAR, Feb 19 - As of Friday two housing buildings with 84 flats, reconstructed by the European Union (EU), are available for Vukovar citizens to move in. The building were renovated by a German non-governmental organisation ASB, which is conducting the EU reconstruction programmes in the Croatian Danube river area. On Friday's ceremony, the European Commission special envoy to Croatia, Per Vinther, handed over the buildings to Vukovar Mayor Vladimir Stengl. Vinther said the EU had reconstructed 358 flats in this war-ravaged Croatian town so far, thereby enabling more than 1,000 residents to have accommodation. The EU has invested about 90 million kuna (US$ 15 million) in the reconstruction of flats and the local infrastructure since 1996. The EU endorsed the (Croatian) Government's programme for return and reconstruction. However, there are some problems in its implementation, but we would like to encourage the Government to abide by the fulfilment of the undertaken commitments, the EU representative said. He stressed that primarily the Croatian Government has the responsibility for conducting the return and reconstruction programme. The EU official called on the establishment of the mutual trust and reconciliation adding that this would be the only possible way for the progress in the peaceful reintegration process. Vinther pointed to the good cooperation between the EU and the Croatian ministries and local self-government in the renovation of the war-affected areas. He added that the EU would continue to help the reconstruction of Croatia. (hina) mm ms