NATIONAL SCIENCE COUNCIL HOLDS MEETING

( Editorial: --> 6228 ) ZAGREB, July 7 (Hina) - The Croatian National Science Council discussed on Tuesday in Zagreb a draft of the new National Scientific Research Programme which should be presented to the Croatian Government and the Croatian National Parliament in October. The new National Scientific Research Programme will determine the dynamics of strategic scientific development until the year 2004. The Council has determined new, special scientific priorities, Ivica Kostovic, the Council's Deputy Head and Croatian Science Minister, said after the meeting. Defence, which has been the country's scientific priority, is now complemented by national security. The strategy of Croatia's development and its close observation remain a special priority, while the new priorities are as follows: development of new technologies, studying of the European legal system and compliance with European law. Research of the Adriatic Sea, added Kostovic, is also a project which will officially become part of the new National Scientific Research Programme. Council members also discussed the role of public institutes in Croatia, the allocation of state budget funds for science and its distribution into various scientific fields. (Hina) jfk jn /mbr 072042 MET jul 98