SIX PARTIES FORM CROATIAN REGIONAL BLOC

( Editorial: --> 9222 ) RIJEKA, Oct 17 (Hina) - Six Croatian regional parties established the Croatian Regional Bloc (HRB) in Rijeka on Saturday. The bloc includes the Dalmatian Action (DA) party, Croatian Democratic House (HDD), Istrian Democratic Forum (IDF), Primorje- Gorski Kotar Union (PGS), Croatian Party of Slavonija and Baranja (SBHS) and Zagorje Democratic Party (ZDS). A declaration signed by the parties' leaders notes that members of the bloc share similar views as regards the regional policy and development as well as the need for decentralisation in decision- making and a high level of local self-government. The HRB parties share the same view on the need for Croatia's integration into European and Euro-Atlantic associations as soon as possible. Within the next year, the bloc will be coordinated by the PGS and its representative Nikola Ivanis. Ivanis said that the efforts of the new bloc would be aimed at "the introduction of a fair and development-oriented tax system" as well as at the care for the most destitute categories of society. (hina) rml 171653 MET oct 98