BIG POSSIBILITIES FOR CRO & AUSTRIAN ECONOMIC COOPERATION

( Editorial: --> 6337 ) VIENNA, Jan 22 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and Austrian Economy Minister Johannes Farnleitner made addresses at a dinner held in Vienna Wednesday on the occasion of the first Croatian Economy Week in Austria. According to Granic, the Croatian Economy Week is a new stimulus in the promotion of economic cooperation between the two friendly countries, Croatia and Austria. The completion of the peaceful reintegration of its Danube river region in the east made Croatia sovereign throughout its territory, the foreign minister said, adding Croatia's chances for inclusion into Euro-Atlantic institutions were now bigger than before. Granic pointed out 60 per cent of Croatia's foreign trade was realised with European Union member-countries. The Austrian foreign minister advocated stronger economic cooperation. There are many possibilities to achieve this, he said, especially in joint projects, transport, the transport infrastructure and tourism. Farnleitner voiced Austria's support to Croatia's efforts to join the European Union. In Vienna, Granic also held talks with former Austrian premier and current president of the Institute for Danube River Basin Countries and Central Europe, Erhard Busek. The Croatian foreign minister told reporters he had acquainted Busek with the completion of the peaceful reintegration of eastern Croatia, Croatia's strategic commitments and efforts to join Euro- Atlantic institutions, and its cooperation in SECI projects. (hina) ha mm 221136 MET jan 98