ITALIAN CONSUL GENERAL IN CROATIA ADVOCATES BIGGER ECONOMIC COOPER ATION

ATION RIJEKA, June 2 (Hina) - Italian Consul General Gianfranco de Luigi on Monday evening arranged a reception in the Croatian port of Rijeka, northern Adriatic Sea, on the occasion of Italy's Day of the Republic. Welcoming the attending leaders of the Primorsko-goranska and Istrian counties and the Rijeka city authorities, church dignitaries and other invitees, de Luigi pointed out that relations between Italy and Croatia were becoming considerably stronger. The most important factor in future relations was economic cooperation, he added. "Italian businessmen have realized how favourable for investing the present moment is, looking for the most convenient branches in Croatia, especially in Istria and the Rijeka area", de Luigi said, specifying that these included light industry, agriculture, tourism and participation in post-war reconstruction and privatization. (hina) ha 022149 MET jun 97