ITALIANS HELP WITH RECONSTRUCTION OF DANUBIAN AREA

( Editorial: --> 9200 ) OSIJEK, Oct 17 (Hina) - Representatives of the Osijek-Baranja County and teams of experts from the Italian Foreign Ministry and the Italian autonomous region Friuli Venezia Giulia on Saturday signed a letter of intent on the implementation of the programme of multi-sector help for the development of the Croatian Danube River region. The programme, worth DM7 million, involves the development of small and medium-scale businesses, social care and institution assistance. Self-government units in the county and the Friuli Venezia Giulia region will be involved in the implementation of the programme. Recalling the great efforts the Croatian government has invested into the reconstruction of homes and infrastructure in the Croatian Danubian area, Osijek-Baranja County Deputy Prefect Marko Barisin stressed that the main problem is the revival of the economy. A member of the Italian team of experts, Giuseppe Razza, said that the first part of the programme could begin to be realised next March. The contribution of local authorities is crucial for the implementation of the programme which could become an example for future initiatives, he added. The final implementation of the programme will be approved by relevant Croatian and Italian ministries. (hina) lml 171507 MET oct 98