ECONOMY MINISTER PORGES HEADS DELEGATION AT PRAGUE CONFERENCE

( Editorial: --> 4805 ) PRAGUE, Jan 15 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges is heading a Croatian delegation attending the fifth conference of ministers of economy, industry and trade of G-7 group member- countries and countries in transition, held in Prague. This is the first time a Croatian delegation is attending. Opening the conference, Czech Premier Jozef Tosovski especially welcomed Croatia and Moldova as new members of group E-16, which includes countries in transition. Earlier today, Economy Minister Porges and the Croatian delegation met with Polish Economy Minister Janos Stejnhot. Porges assessed the meeting as very good, saying talks focused on Croatia's access to the World Trade Organisation and joining of the CEFTA, in which Croatia enjoys Poland's full support. Porges also held talks with the Czech Industry and Trade Minister, Karel Kuhnl. It was agreed a meeting of an inter-government board of the Czech Republic and Croatia will be held next month, in Zagreb most probably, to discuss possibilities of liberalising trade and signing a free trade agreement between the two countries. Tomorrow, Porges will address the conference, and is expected to hold meetings with representatives of delegations from the U.S, Italy and Slovakia. (hina) ha 152233 MET jan 98