AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR VISITS SPLIT ( Editorial: --> 1789 )

( Editorial: --> 1789 ) SPLIT, 18 Nov (Hina) - Split Mayor Ivan Skaric and his associates received the Vienna-based Australian Ambassador to Croatia, Lance Joseph, and Frankfurt-based Consul Michael Tietg. Ambassador Joseph expressed satisfaction with his cooperation with Zagreb, adding that it was improving lately. The purpose of his visit, Joseph said, was to discuss trade and tourist relations, because of the increasing interest of Australian tourists in Croatia. The Australian officials showed special interest in providing equipment for Croatian airports. The equipment for airports is very expensive and should be purchased with loans of the European Bank for Development, of which Australia is a member. Split Mayor said that Split could not make decisions on those matters independently, but would certainly support the idea, as Split and Dalmatia were very interested in purchasing high-quality equipment for the growing number of airports. The Australian Ambassador also held talks with Split airport representatives. (hina) rm 181847 MET nov 97