Croatian PM to forge economic ties with RI

Croatian PM to forge economic ties with RI

JAKARTA (JP): Croatian Prime Minister Greguric Matesa is to
arrive here tomorrow for a five-day state visit which will
include two days in Bali.

The main purpose of his visit is to strengthen economic ties
between Indonesia and Croatia.

Indonesian Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said economics
would highlight the visit with no or few other bilateral matters
being discussed.

Under the Croatian constitution, the prime minister is
responsible for economic, social and cultural affairs while the
president is in charge of political affairs including foreign
policy.

"The prime minister's visit here is to substitute the planned
visit of Croatian President Franji Tujdman who, because of his
engagements in preparing for the upcoming elections, had to
postpone his visit here till later this year," Moerdiono told
journalists here yesterday.

Matesa will hold talks with President Soeharto on Thursday
morning.

An air transportation agreement is scheduled to be signed by
ministers from Indonesia and Croatia.

Matesa is also due to visit the state-owned manufacturing
company IPTN in Bandung, West Java.

During his visit, the Croatian prime minister will be
accompanied by his wife Mrs. Sanja Greguric Matesa, Minister of
Economic Affairs Davor Stern, Minister of Tourism Niko Bulic,
Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs Zeljko and assistant
Minister of Foreign Affairs Frane Krnic.

Matesa and his delegation will fly to Bali on Friday. There he
will spend the day on the golf course at the plush Grand Bali
Beach resort.

In the evening he will attend a dinner hosted by Bali Governor
Ida Bagus Oka.

The Croatian prime minister will leave for Malaysia on Sunday.
(mds)