TOURISM MINISTER PRESENTS BRIJUNI ISLES NATIONAL PARK PROJECT

( Editorial: --> 5269 ) BRIJUNI, Feb 28 (Hina) - A project on the Brijuni Isles National Park was presented Saturday. Set up by the Ministry of Tourism under a decision of the Government, the project includes a programme and concept for the protection and use of the national park. The Brijuni Isles are situated off the western coast of the Istrian peninsula in the northern Adriatic. Today's presentation was attended by Tourism Minister Sergej Morsan and representatives of the highest state institutions which deal with the protection of the cultural and natural heritage, the protection of the environment and urban planning, representatives of Istra County and MPs. According to Morsan, the project offers the possibility of properly making use of the park by "creating a much better harmony in the protection of the natural, historical and cultural heritage than before, and by opening the Brijuni Isles National Park to elite tourism." The head of the urban planning bureau, Matija Salaj, said the project reflected a modern economic approach and a high protection concept modelled on world national parks which are fully open to tourism needs. Istra County Prefect Stevo Zufic said the Brijuni Isles are an area of outstanding strategic importance for the county and Croatia. He suggested that the Istra County take part in future stages of changes and amendments to the urban plan. (hina) ha 281556 MET feb 98