CROATIA AND RUSSIA SIGN PROTOCOL ON DELIVERY OF OIL

( Editorial: --> 4569 ) ZAGREB/MOSCOW, Feb 25 (Hina) - Economy Minister Nenad Porges and the Russian federation Deputy Minister of International Economy Relations, Roaldo Piskopel, on Tuesday evening signed an interstate protocol on the delivery of 1.5 million tonnes of oil to Croatia annually until the year 2000. Porges and Russian Deputy Economy Minister Andrei Shapovliants signed an agreement elaborating issues for the next session of the Inter-Government Committee in the second half of next year. The Croatian Economy Ministry said in a statement that the talks also focused on projects of cooperation in the electric energy industry, pharmaceutical, ship building, machinery and construction industries. The two sides exchanged views on the possible payment of a part of the debt of the former SSSR to Croatia. (hina) lm mm 251915 MET feb 98