ZAGREB/SEATTLE, Dec 2 (Hina) - A Croatian state delegation, which is attending a ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation in Seattle, has held a series of bilateral meetings, the Croatian Economy Ministry said in a
statement on Thursday. Croatia received full support for its efforts to join the WTO, and participants in the event also considered further activities aimed at resolving the current blockade of Croatia's admission.
ZAGREB/SEATTLE, Dec 2 (Hina) - A Croatian state delegation, which
is attending a ministerial conference of the World Trade
Organisation in Seattle, has held a series of bilateral meetings,
the Croatian Economy Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
Croatia received full support for its efforts to join the WTO, and
participants in the event also considered further activities aimed
at resolving the current blockade of Croatia's admission. #L#
Economy Minister Nenad Porges held talks with the highest WTO
officials. Mike Moore, the incumbent WTO Chief Director,
Thailand's Vice Premier and future WTO Chief Director, Panichapkdi
Supachai, and the head of the WTO department for the admission of
new members, Arif Hussain. The WTO officials recommended the
continuation of intensive contacts with representatives of the
European Commission and the United States so that the dispute about
audio-visual services, which is obstructing Croatia's admission,
could be resolved in a mutually acceptable manner.
Porges also met high US Government officials Stuart Eizenstat,
Under-Secretary of State for Economics, and All Larson, Under
Secretary at the State Department. The meeting was also attended by
Catherine Novelli, an assistant to the US Trade Representative.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the economic cooperation
the two countries have had so far, especially with regard to the
agreements signed with large US corporations Bechtel, Parsons and
Enron. Also addressed was Croatia's admission to the WTO.
The US officials agreed with Porges that the case was not only about
Croatia's admission but about a much wider problem - respect for WTO
basic principles. The US side stressed they would try to adopt a
mutually satisfactory solution in talks with the EU and the WTO
Secretariat.
Croatia's Economy Minister today also held talks with Karl
Falkenberg, director at the European Commission's department for
international economic relations. Falkenberg said the problem of
Croatia's admission to the WTO was of great importance for France
and expressed hope the Seattle conference would result in a final
agreement on the issue.
Porges and his Hungarian counterpart Atilla Chikan expressed
readiness to continue talks on a free trade agreement and the
resolution of open questions. Porges also met Albania's Minister of
Economic Cooperation and Trade, Ermelinda Meksi.
The Economy Minister also attended a lunch organised for
participants in the conference by US President Bill Clinton.
Late last night local time, Porges held a speech at the conference,
pointing to the need of speedier expansion of the WTO and the
completion of the process of Croatia's admission, the Ministry
reported.
(hina) rml,