INDONESIA AND CROATIA SIGN TWO AGREEMENTS

JAKARTA, Feb 27 (Hina) - Indonesia and Croatia on Thursday signed agreements on economic and technical cooperation and on air traffic which should create preconditions for strengthening economic ties between the two countries. In Jakarta Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and Croatian Economy Minister Davor Stern signed the agreement on economic and technical cooperation at a ceremony, which was attended by Indonesian President Soeharto and Croatian Premier. Minister Ali Alatas and Croatian Transport Minister Zeljko Luzavec signed the treaty on air traffic. Indonesia and Croatia are expected to sign soon agreements on double tax avoidance and investment protection. Those deals will ensure legal preconditions for promotion of strong economic relations between the two countries. Croatian Premier is paying a several-day visit to Indonesia at an invitation of the Indonesian President. The trade between the two countries amounts to seven million dollars at the moment and neither Indonesia nor Croatia are satisfied with it. Matesa's visit to Indonesia should give an incentive to the economic cooperation between the two countries. (hina) jn mš 271045 MET feb 97