THERE CAN BE NO SPECTACULAR ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS - EXPERTS

OPATIJA, Nov 20 (Hina) - "There can be no quick or spectacular solutions - Croatia has to face the truth about its economic and social reality", Croatian Economists' Society president Vladimir Veselica said on Friday, summarising the conclusions of a two-day economic seminar, held in the northern Adriatic town of Opatija. The existing problems and their solutions do not concern only the economic system, but the country's political system as well. Veselica welcomed Finance Minister Borislav Skegro's invitation for society representatives to meet next week with Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa and members of his cabinet and present their conclusions and views expressed at the Opatija meeting. This meeting would open dialogue between economic experts and authorities, said Veselica. The annual growth rate of the Croatian economy must be increased by 10-12 per cent if Croatia wishes to get closer to more developed countries or enter European associations, Veselica said. Over the past two days, more than 360 economic experts and experts from other areas discussed the Croatian monetary and economic policy, financial reorganisation and competitiveness of Croatian companies, foreign and internal debt, and general liquidity. (hina) jn rml