PROTOCOLS FOR FRANCE'S FINANCIAL DONATIONS TO CROATIA SIGNED

PARIS, May 23 (Hina) - Croatian Ambassador in Paris, Branko Salaj, and an aide to the director of the French trade ministry's treasury department, Francois de Gallhau, signed two protocols for France's donations to Croatia on Monday, according to a statement from the Croatian Embassy in Paris. The first donation, worth 1.3 million francs, is earmarked for the expert education of Croatian constructors and engineers in technology for reconstruction of monuments. The donation should contribute to better cooperation between the French firm called Quelin and the Dubrovnik firm "Gradjevinar", whose part owner is Quelin. The other donation, worth 3.5 million francs, should be used for plans on modernizing Croatian ports of Rijeka and Ploce, prepared by French companies Sofremer and Apis. During the ceremony of signing the protocols the French official described the event as historic, since in this way France was offering a direct financial assistance to the young Republic of Croatia for the first time. Ambassador Salaj emphasized that his country attached great importance to the development of relations with France. (hina) mms 232006 MET may 95