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)