CROATIA, TURKEY TO DISCUSS FREE TRADE

ZAGREB, 23 Sept (Hina) - Croatia and Turkey should soon start negotiations on the establishment of a free trade zone, the Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa stated Tuesday following his talks with the Turkish President Suleyman Demirel. Matesa said he expected that the talks on free trade between the two countries would start in the next several months. President Demirel, who is paying a three-day visit to Croatia, on Tuesday held talks with Premier Matesa on the strengthening of economic cooperation between Turkey and Croatia. "We have agreed that there is mutual interest in cooperation in the construction of infrastructure, especially roads in Croatia and power industry projects in Turkey," said Matesa adding he held that the two countries were nearing the beginning of realisation of concrete projects. The Turkish company ENKA was very interested in participating in the construction of the motorway Zagreb-Split, with the U.S. company BECHTEL, Matesa said, adding the project was being discussed. Croatia was also ready to negotiate with Turkish companies about their participation in the construction of a motorway from the port of Rijeka on the northern Adriatic coast to the Slovene border, as well as about the construction of other roads. Matesa and Demirel also discussed possibilities of cooperation in military industry. We have accepted President Demirel's conclusion that Croatia and Turkey can improve the already existing cooperation in those areas as well, Matesa said. (hina) jn rm 231613 MET sep 97