CROATIAN ECONOMY MINISTER MEETS EU SPECIAL ENVOY

( Editorial: --> 5923 ) ZAGREB, July 6 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges on Monday met with Per Vinther, special envoy of the European Commission in Croatia. According to a statement from the Ministry of Economy, Porges acquainted Vinther with current activities related to Croatia's access to European and world economy integration, and with the priorities of Croatian economy policy. Negotiations on Croatia's access to the World Trade Organisation are in the final stage and access may be expected in mid-1999, Porges said. The Economy Minister reiterated Croatia's interest in being included in European integration, especially the Central European Free Trade Association and the European Union. Vinther said officials of the highest EU bodies positively assessed the efforts the Croatian government was making in resolving the issue of refugees and displaced persons. Porges said the problems Croatia was facing in the Danube river region were of an economic not political nature. Vinther said that negotiations on Croatia's inclusion into the PHARE programme could be expected by year's end. This would open the possibility of Croatian participation in other EU programmes, especially the signing of a cooperation agreement. (hina) ha jn 061645 MET jul 98