EU HANDS OVER FOR USE APARTMENT BUILDING DUNAV II

( Editorial: --> 7923 ) VUKOVAR, 28 Jan (Hina) - The European Union on Wednesday handed over the 71-apartment building Dunav II in Vukovar. The apartments, whose reconstruction cost DM 2.7 million, will be used by their pre-war tenants, while apartments which remain empty will be allocated, in line with a regulation adopted recently by the Government, by the Reconstruction and Development Ministry, in line with the Law on Areas of Special State Concern. The reconstruction of Dunav II was carried out by the German non- government organisation Arbeiter Samariter Bund (ASB), which also carried out all other reconstruction projects of the European Union. Dunav II is the same type of building as Dunav I, which was also repaired by the EU and handed over for use on 28 October 1997. Addressing guests and tenants in Vukovar today, the European Commission envoy Per Vinther stressed the role of the Croatian government in reconstructing the Danubian region. A more intense course of reconstruction should facilitate a speedier two-way return, he said. Before today's hand-over ceremony, held in front of the reconstructed apartment building, EU representatives held a short press conference. So far the EU has repaired buildings with a total of 170 apartments in Vukovar, Vinther said, adding the EU will reconstruct another 166 flats. Preparations are under way for the reconstruction of some 40 to 50 family houses in Kusonje, near Pakrac, western Slavonia. In 1998, the EU will invest DM 30 million for the reconstruction of houses and infrastructure and the recovery of the economy in eastern and western Slavonia, Vinther said. During 1997, the EU invested a total of some DM 44 million into those areas and in the reconstruction of bridges over the Sava River. In 1996, some DM 20 million was invested into eastern Slavonia. Since 1991, Croatia has received from the EU aid worth some DM 500 million, Vinther said. (hina) mm rm 282136 MET jan 98