PORGES HOLDS BILATERAL MEETINGS IN SALZBURG

( Editorial: --> 3413 ) SALZBURG, June 24 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges on Wednesday held several meetings in Salzburg focusing on Croatian economic and trade relations with countries of central and eastern Europe. Porges is attending an economic summit of these countries which began on June 22 and is the third organised by the World Economic Forum. The summit is hosted by Austrian President Thomas Klestil. Representatives of countries of central and eastern Europe and representatives of financial institutions have been discussing the role these countries have in the global economy, their access to the European Union, privatisation and other issues. Today Croatia's Economy Minister discussed cooperation with his Austrian counterpart Hanns Farnleitner and Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Zlatka Popovska. Further negotiations on free trade was the topic of talks Porges had with the Czech and Hungarian Trade and Industry Ministers, Karel Kuhnl and Szabolcs Fazakas, who assured him that negotiations would continue even after the two countries had constituted new governments. Representatives of Bank Austria Creditanstald emphasised their interest to further the bank's activity on the Croatian market. Minister Porges also discussed the Croatian power supply sector and the possible privatisation of oil giant INA and the Croatian Power Supply Co (HEP). The Economy Minister said 100 per cent foreign ownership of investments into the Croatian power supply sector were possible. He announced INA could enter the international capital market next year, but with a minimal share, and that HEP would follow. (hina) ha/mbr jn 241743 MET jun 98