EUROPEAN UNION COMPLETE RECONSTRUCTION OF 10 FLATS IN VUKOVAR

( Editorial: --> 7644 ) VUKOVAR, Sept 2 (Hina) - The European Commission and German non- government contractor, Arbeiter Samariter Bund (ASB), have completed the reconstruction of a block of ten flats in Vukovar. Special European Commission envoy for Croatia, Per Vinther, opened the building for use on Wednesday. The European Union has so far participated in the reconstruction of 274 flats in the eastern Croatian city of Vukovar. This is another contribution by the EU to the return of refugees and reconciliation, and is a big event for every person who will return to their home town of Vukovar and continue their lives there, Vinther said. Vukovar's Mayor, Vladimir Stengl, expressed gratitude to the European union for assistance in the reconstruction of Vukovar, ravaged during the Homeland War. He stressed that it was evident that the visits of Per Vinther to the city were usually connected to the opening for use of reconstructed apartments. Stengl expressed hope that such visits would continue. The European Union invested around US$218,750 into the reconstruction of the block of flats. Tenants will be handed the keys of their apartments as soon as the documentation for their take-over of the flats is completed. (hina) lml 021642 MET sep 98