CROATIA AND ROUMANIA SIGN PROTOCOL ON ECONOMIC COOPERATION

ZAGREB, June 19 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges and Roumanian state secretary of Industry and Trade Ministry, Florin Burulana, on Thursday signed a cooperation protocol. The protocol was signed following a successful two-day session of the Croatian-Roumanian government committee for economic cooperation. The protocol says that in the end of September, the two countries will begin negotiations on conclusion of a free trade agreement. It also provides that Croatian and Roumanian relevant ministries will start talks on the gradual opening of some traffic corridors and on better traffic connections between the two countries. The cooperation in promotion of financing and banking operations has been also agreed upon. Roumanian companies are ready to participate in reconstruction of eastern Slavonia, and, in particular, of the port of Vukovar, whereas the two countries' firms are also willing to participate together in reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Minister Porges said that the registered trade between Croatia and Roumanian, worth 20 million dollars, was not satisfactory, as there were great opportunities to further economic cooperation. "The protocol refers to further joint work of the Roumanian- Croatian Committee, directed to mutual economic support of the two countries, with the aim to be included soon into the circle of European economy," Porges added. (hina) jn mš 191635 MET jun 97