WASHINGTON, D.C., 16 October 2006

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2006.  -  Croatian Minister of the Economy Branko Vukelić met U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman in Washington on Monday for talks on the situation in the energy sector, energy projects in Croatia and new US programmes for the development of renewable energy sources.

Bodman expressed support for major energy projects in Croatia, such as the construction of a Croatian section of the oil pipeline running from the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanza to the northern Italian Adriatic port of Trieste and the construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal in Omisalj on the northern Croatian Adriatic island of Krk, Vukelic said after the meeting.

Noting that Croatia was situated at an intersection of energy routes, Bodman supported the Croatian government's efforts to ensure more oil and gas supply lines for Croatia.

The two ministers also discussed the conveyance of US experience in the energy sector, ways of providing assistance, and new projects for the exploitation of renewable energy sources in the US.

Vukelic is currently on a three-day visit to the US as part of the government delegation led by Prime Minister Ivo Sanader.