CROATIAN ECONOMY MINISTER MEETS FINNISH TRADE MINISTER

ZAGREB, Dec 2 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges met in Seattle on Thursday Finnish Foreign Trade Minister and head of a Finnish delegation at the ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation, Kimm Sasi, the Croatian Economy Ministry said in a statement Friday. The meeting focused on the blockade of Croatia's access into the WTO due to France's blocking Croatia's offer for audio and visual services. Porges informed his Finnish colleagues with efforts Croatia was exerting with the aim of solving the issue, and asked for the support of Finland which is currently presiding over the European Union. According to Sasi, Finland wishes for the problem to be solved during its presiding over the European Union, and is trying to reach a consensus with the rest of the member countries, the Ministry said in a statement. It has been announced that the next meeting of EU foreign ministers, to take place in Brussels on December 6 an 7 would discuss the issue of Croatia's access into the WTO. Sasi also expressed interest in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Croatia, the Ministry said. (hina) lml