CROATIA AND SWITZERLAND SIGN TWO AGREEMENTS

ZAGREB, March 12 (Hina) - Croatia and Switzerland on Friday signed two agreements which should stimulate further development of economic relations between the two countries. Swiss Economy Minister Pascal Couchepin, who is visiting Croatia, and Croatian Finance Minister Borislav Skegro, signed an agreement on avoiding double taxation, while Couchepin and Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges signed a trade and economic cooperation agreement. The agreements will contribute to Swiss investments into Croatia and to an increase in trade between the two countries, Porges said. He stressed Switzerland was Croatia's important trade partner, standing in third place in the overall amount of investments into Croatia. Couchepin held talks with Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa and ministers Skegro and Porges. "The talks tackled practically all subjects and spurred Switzerland's interest in promoting cooperation, from investing into tourism to strengthening relations in the reconstruction of certain areas," Porges said. We stressed that the speed of establishing a balance and returning trust in the Croatian Danubian area depended on the speed of establishing an economic basis which will enable a more peaceful coexistence, Porges said. He thanked the Swiss side for help in "healing wounds in war-struck areas and in Croatia's efforts to expedite the process of joining global associations, primarily the World Trade Organisation and others". We hope we are starting a new phase which will help us to build a world jointly which is based on economic prosperity and the respect of political and minority rights, Couchepin said. He stressed Switzerland had since Croatia's gaining of independence actively participated in its development through a certain number of Swiss companies. (hina) lml