SEMINAR ON REGIONAL COOPERATION FINISHES IN OSIJEK

OSIJEK, Nov 6 (Hina) - A two-day seminar on regional development and cooperation, which attracted about 100 participants from Croatia, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belgium and Netherlands, ended in Osijek on Saturday. This is the third seminar held within a programme "Democratisation in Eastern Slavonia" sponsored by Belgian and Dutch non- governmental organisations. The Osijek event revolved around the economic development and various models of cooperation between regions and municipalities. The participants in the event concluded that it was necessary to continue developing the cross-border cooperation and in this context, representatives of the Hungarian municipality of Beremend proposed the organisation of a conference on agriculture inviting authorities of municipalities in Hungarian and Croatian parts of Baranja to take part. Belgium's Ambassador to Croatia Luc Liebaut said in his closing speech that the purpose of such seminars is to gather people of different ethnic origins but it would be better if they convene in the future without foreign organisers. Time is necessary for reconciliation and our goal is that people in these areas live together respecting each other, Liebaut said. Commenting on the upcoming election in Croatia, the Belgian diplomat said the international community hoped the election would be fair and free and that a new government would contribute to progress and economic development of the country as well as to the joint life of all Croatian citizens. (hina) ms