COMMUNAL AGREEMENT SIGNED ON CROATIAN AIR PORTS

( Editorial: --> 5001 ) ZAGREB, May 19 (Hina) - The Croatian Government and local bodies of authority Tuesday signed a communal agreement on property relations and administration of airports in seven Croatian towns. The agreement covers airports in Zagreb, Split, Pula, Dubrovnik, Rijeka, Osijek and Zadar. Transport Minister Zeljko Luzavec signed the agreement with county, town and municipal representatives. The airports are 55 per cent owned by the state and 45 per cent by local towns and counties. According to Luzavec, laws on flight control, airports, air transport and binding relations in air transport are on the Western European level which facilitates loan granting. Following independence and the Homeland War, it was necessary to invest enormous funds in the reconstruction of airports, the organisation of the flight control system and the formation of an air fleet, Luzavec said. Two of six purchased A319 airbuses are just about to be delivered, he added, pointing out Croatia would have one of the most up-to-date air fleets. "At the moment Croatia has the most up-to-date equipment, trained staff and is part of European and world flight control and civil aviation associations," Luzavec said, emphasising the organisation of air transport in Croatia was recently given a high assessment. Airports in Zadar and Dubrovnik have been fully reconstructed, the cost being DM17 million. Association of Croatian Airports president Luksa Novak said it was estimated that between the year 2003 and 2005 air traffic to airports would return to the pre-war level. (hina) ha jn /mrb 191629 MET may 98