ISTRIA & CARINTHIA SIGN LETTER OF INTENT ON REGIONAL COOPERATION

( Editorial: --> 8423 ) PULA, April 21 (Hina) - The Croatian county of Istria and the Austrian province of Carinthia signed a letter of intent on inter- regional cooperation. The letter was signed on Tuesday, in the northern Adriatic port of Pula, by the Istria county prefect Stevo Zufic and president of the Carinthian provincial government, Christof Zernatt. The Austrian Ambassador to Croatia, Rudolf Bogner, was also present at the signing. Austria and Carinthia will support Croatia's entry to Euro- Atlantic associations, and the strong friendship between the Istria county and Carinthia would contribute to that, said Bogner. Istria and Carinthia have agreed on economic cooperation and exchange of experiences in the protection of ethnic minorities, he Bogner added. (hina) jn mrb/rm 211820 MET apr 98