CROATIAN, BAVARIAN DEVELOPMENT MINISTERS DISCUSS COOPERATION

ZAGREB, Aug 19 (Hina) - Croatia and Bavaria must strengthen economic cooperation so it could reach the level of the excellent political relations, Croatian Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic said on Tuesday after talks with Bavarian Development and Environment Protection Minister Thomas Goppel. Goppel arrived for a three-day visit to Croatia on Sunday. His talks with Croatia's Radic focused on cooperation between Bavaria and Croatia on the building of infrastructure objects in Croatia, and on large-scale ecology projects. According to Radic, there existed possibilities for cooperation in the building of highways in Croatia, and in ecology projects focusing on the filtration of liquid waste on the Adriatic and environment protection in the Kastelanski Zaljev Bay. To date, Croatia received from the international community only two percent of total expenditures, said the minister. "We are not seeking assistance, but partnership to mutual interest", he emphasized. Radic and Goppel focused in particular on the building of the Pyrn road, from Croatia's border with Slovenia to Krapina, in relation to which a letter on understanding was signed with Bavarian construction company Walter Bau about a year ago. In September, Radic promised, Croatia would do all that was necessary to sign an agreement on the matter. (hina) ha jn 191505 MET aug 97