The Croatian government's economic priorities and co-operation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) were the central topics of talks Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul held with members of the EBRD steering council in London on Thursday.

"I am very satisfied with the meeting with the minister with whom we talked about the priorities of the new Croatian government and the work of the EBRD with Croatian institutions over the past years", first EBRD Vice President Noreen Doyle said.

"We want to work intensively with the EBRD and this is in the interest of our country," Zuzul said.

The Croatian delegation and the EBRD representatives discussed four projects -- shipbuilding, infrastructure, namely the continuation of the road construction, tourism and the EBRD's assistance earmarked for small and medium-size entrepreneurship in Croatia.

The EBRD has good experience with shipyards, particularly with Pula's Uljanik shipyard, and as regards tourism there is a lot of room for and interest in further co-operation, Zuzul said.

The EBRD has been present in Croatia for a number of years and so far it has invested a total of 1.232 billion euros in 40 projects.

Last year alone, the bank has invested 150 million euros into seven projects. Zuzul also held talks with representatives of investment funds and possible British investors in Croatia.

(NewsBase 16.ii.04)