SESSION OF PERMANENT CROAT-BAVARIAN COMMISSION OPENS IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, May 5 (Hina) - Representatives of Croatia and Bavaria on Wednesday met in Zagreb for the 23rd session of the Permanent Croatian-Bavarian Commission. The Commission operates at the government and ministerial level of the relevant countries which are tied to the Working community of the Alpe-Adria (established in 1978), and the Community of Danube Countries (established in 1991). "In its 27 years of existence, the Commission has played a huge role in nurturing and developing economic, cultural and political cooperation between Croatia and the Free State of Bavaria. At the same time it has helped to deepen relations between Croatia and Germany on the whole", said Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Zeljko Kupresak during his introductory speech. Kupresak, who headed the Croatian delegation, expressed hope that this year's two-day meeting will speed up the realisation of vital projects such as the Phyrn highway. An agreement on the Phyrn highway was signed in September 1996 and entails the construction of a highway through Maribor and Zagreb connecting Nuremberg with Split. An introductory speech by the Bavarian delegation was held by deputy principle of the Bavarian State Office, Friedrich Wilhelm Rothenpieler, who believes that Croatia should be drawn closer to Europe. The meeting is to continue on Thursday. (hina) sp/rml