( Editorial: --> 1622 )
PORTOROZ, Sept 19 (Hina) - The Portoroz international conference on
the European Union and cross-border regional economic cooperation
ended on Saturday.
Cooperation between the northern Adriatic ports of Trieste, Koper
and Rijeka was another important aspect of the meeting.
The conference was attended by about 100 scientists and experts
from Italy, Slovenia and Croatia as well as representatives of the
European Union, Central European Initiative (CEI) and
international financial institutions.
The conference was not a diplomatic meeting - its purpose was the
exchange of experience and ideas directed towards a joint market
appearance of the three ports, participants told reporters.
The meeting agreed to establish a joint working body which is to
prepare concrete proposals for foreign joint projects, in line with
conclusions adopted over the past two days.
Slovene Chamber of Commerce President Josko Cuk stressed the need
for specialising the ports, which could be carried out after
individual interests have been defined.
Modernisation of ports has to be carried out along with their
specialisation and reconstruction of road and railway
infrastructure, Cuk said.
The conference stressed EU's role in supporting the aspirations of
the northern Adriatic ports.
Considering the totally different positions of Italy, Slovenia and
Croatia towards the EU, an important bridge could be the CEI, it was
said.
Croatia's efforts to join international organisations and its
development programmes for traffic infrastructure were presented
at the conference, said Dragutin Subat, Croatian Deputy Minister of
Transport, Communications and Maritime Affairs.
Subat stressed the need for establishing high-quality road and
railway links between the three ports.
The conference also discussed the problem of environmental
protection and the introduction of a "feeder" system, which would
result in greater participation of the three ports in maritime
transport in the Mediterranean.
(hina) rml
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