CROATIA SIGNS RECONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT WITH EU, ASB ASSOCIATION

ZAGREB, May 6 (Hina) - Croatian representatives on Thursday signed an agreement on partnership with the German association Arbeiter Samariter Bund and the European Commission (ASB/EC), Croatia's most important partner in the reconstruction of war-devastated areas. The agreement determines the framework for cooperation in the return of refugees and reconstruction in the country. The document was signed by Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic, EC's special envoy to Croatia, Per Vinther, and a representative of the ASB/EC office, Alfons Peeters. "The association Arbeiter Samariter Bund is Croatia's most important partner in reconstruction", Radic said after the agreement was signed. The ABS/EC has so far repaired more than 500 flats in the eastern Croatian town of Vukovar, and it has also implemented other reconstruction projects, primarily infrastructure projects in other parts of the country, he added. Today's agreement confirms that the Reconstruction and Development Ministry and the European Union, which is financing projects which are carried out by the ABS, are determined to implement the process of return, reconciliation and reconstruction, Vinther said. Peeters believes that reconstruction assistance should be granted to all citizens and not only returnees in the areas of return, so that municipalities could develop in all segments. The assistance should be granted within the European Union's programme of return (EUPOP), Peeters said, adding this year's budget was still being discussed in Brussels, which meant that there was a possibility that additional projects might be approved. According to the projects approved so far, the ASB/EC is expected to invest more than US$7 million in Croatia in 1999. Under the agreement, the ASB/EC is obliged to approach donors in order to raise additional funds, and help the Croatian Ministry of Reconstruction and Development establish contact with other potential donors. (hina) jn rml