CROATIA AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC AGREE EXPANSION OF TRADE

( Editorial: --> 4285 ) ZAGREB, April 2 (Hina) - A joint Croatian-Czech committee for economic and trade co-operation completed its two-day session in Zagreb on Thursday. The two parties made concrete proposals for expansion of cooperation in the automobile industry, manufacturing of agricultural machinery and infrastructure, Deputy Economy Minister Milan Cuvalo said. Improvement of bilateral economic co-operation hinges on liberalisation of trade and an urgent signing of a free trade agreement, Cuvalo assessed. Head of the Czech delegation and general director at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Jan Hronik, explained that countries wishing to sign free trade agreements with the Czech Republic should be members of the World Trade Organisation and signatories of certain agreements with the EU. Hronik said he had been advised by both Zagreb and Geneva that Croatia's negotiations with the WTO were progressing smoothly. After the session Cuvalo and Hronik signed a protocol on cooperation in trade and economy. Representatives of the two governments announced Croatia and the Czech Republic would sign in May a protocol on cooperation in the tourism industry. The Czech Republic also confirmed its participation at the Zagreb Trade Fair as a partner country. The Czech Republic ranks among Croatia's top ten trading partners. In 1997 trade exchange between Croatia and the Czech Republic amounted to $254 million, including Czech exports worth $46.4 million. (Hina) jn mr /mb 021937 MET apr 98