CROATIAN ECONOMY MINISTER MEETS ISRAELI DELEGATION

( Editorial: --> 8999 ) ZAGREB, Sept 8 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges on Tuesday met a delegation of the Israeli-Croatian Friendship League. Porges informed his guests about the basic activities and tasks of his ministry as well as economic developments in Croatia and the Government's economic measures, the Economy Ministry said in a statement. The Economy Minister also spoke about the procedure for Croatia's admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and talks on the liberalisation of trade with the countries of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). He stressed Croatia's readiness to start negotiations on an agreement on trade and cooperation with the European Union, which is expected to begin next year. The Israeli delegation was especially interested in the compatibility of Croatian economic legislation with the world market criteria as well as in investment possibilities. The two sides also discussed Israeli-Croatian cooperation and the need for completing a contractual bilateral framework for economic cooperation. Also discussed were possibilities for advancing cooperation in the areas of power production, agriculture, water management and tourism. Porges proposed that the Croatian Economy Ministry and the Israeli Institute for Export establish closer cooperation in marketing and agreed on a visit of Croatian experts to Israel. The purpose of the visit is for Croatian representatives to gain an insight into Israel's experience. (hina) rml /mbr 081843 MET sep 98