NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA BUSINESSMEN VISIT ZAGREB

ZAGREB, May 10 (Hina) - Croatian Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic and the Economy, Technology and Transport Minister of Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia, Peer Steinbrueck, on Monday discussed economic cooperation. The two ministers on Monday opened an economic forum at the Croatian Chamber of Commerce in Zagreb. The forum was attended by Croatian and some 50 German businessmen. "The Croatia of today, besides characteristics of countries in transition, is also characterised by post-war reconstruction," Minister Radic told the German businessmen. "We are going through several processes at the same time, whereas other countries did so gradually, and this is both an advantage and a hindrance. We don't seek assistance, we offer partnership," Radic said. Over the next two days, talks with German businessmen will focus on concrete infrastructure projects, in ecology and water supply for instance, which will receive government support. It was pointed out today one of the preconditions for foreign investments was the adjustment of Croatian and western European legislation and public competition systems. "We are learning in Europe once again how important good economic relations and connections are for a region's political stability," Minister Steinbrueck said. "Germany and Europe wish to help Croatia and are interested in the progress and stability of the entire region." North Rhine-Westphalia and Croatia signed an economic cooperation agreement last July. (hina) ha