'NAUTICA 98' FAIR OPENS IN RIJEKA

( Editorial: --> 0254 ) RIJEKA, March 17 (Hina) - The 'Nautica 98' fair, which includes an international fair of nautical tourism and an exhibition of innovations from nautical tourism and maritime affairs, was opened in Rijeka on Tuesday. The fair, with 105 exhibitors from Croatia and foreign countries, was opened by the Minister for Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications, Zeljko Luzavec. "Last year, about 40,000 foreign yachts and sailing boats entered our country's ports," Luzavec said adding Croatia was a potential European nautical super-power. "This year we expect some 150,000 domestic and foreign vessels, and we have to prepare for such traffic. Therefore, at the beginning of this tourist season we will open the Rijeka port authority and a national maritime centre for search and rescuing at sea; by the end of the year an information system covering the entire maritime traffic in Croatia will be in use," said Luzavec. It was especially important to make the procedure of entering Croatia's territorial waters easier for foreign ships, which also required the changing of some regulations and laws, Luzavec added. 'Nautica 98', which is to include the awarding of best exhibits, closes on Sunday, 22 March. (hina) mm rm/mrb 171415 MET mar 98