MIXED CRO-POLISH COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION CONVENES

ZAGREB, Sept 16 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Davor Stern on Monday received Polish Deputy Minister for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, Jan Chaladaj, who is leading a Polish delegation at today's and tomorrow's session of the Mixed Croatian- Polish Committee for Economic Cooperation in Zagreb, the Croatian Ministry of Economy said in a statement. The delegation, also including Polish Ambassador in Zagreb Wieslaw Walkiewicz, informed Stern on the course of negotiations on the signing of a bilateral agreement on free trade between Croatia and Poland, which is a step towards Croatia becoming a member of CEFTA. Chaladaj said that the Polish government fully supported Croatia's entrance into CEFTA, which is a precondition for a speedier entry into economic integrations such as the European Union and the World Trade Organization. He also said that, due to a recent visit of Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa and Stern to Poland, Polish enterprises were very interested in taking part in the Autumn International Zagreb Fair. Also present at today's talks was aide to the minister for international economic cooperation Slavko Begic, who is presiding the Mixed Committee. (hina) ha 161913 MET sep 96