ECONOMY MINISTERS OF DANUBE-BASIN COUNTRIES BEGIN CONFERENCE

( Editorial: --> 2785 ) VIENNA, Mar 27 (Hina) - A conference for economy ministers of ten Danube-basin countries began in Vienna Friday. The conference will discuss stimulation of cooperation in transport, tourism, technology, research projects, and the inclusion of Danube-basin countries in European technology cooperation programmes. According to the head of the Croatian delegation, Economy Minister Nenad Porges, Croatia is greatly interested in cooperation with Danube-basin countries, especially since two of its eastern counties (Vukovar-Srijem and Osijek-Baranja) are situated along the river. Croatia's priority, Porges said, is to stimulate the development of waterways, including the building of a canal between the Sava and the Danube rivers, which should connect Croatia's river routes with European ones. Croatia's strategic interests include connections with Euro- Atlantic political and economic integrations, especially the European Union and the Central European Free Trade Agreement. In this context Porges emphasised the great importance of the regional Danube-basin community. The Croatian Economy Minister announced the building of a harbour in the eastern town of Vukovar. (hina) ha jn 271415 MET mar 98