"We expect an agreement to be reached within the task force and the committee monitoring the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement, which is the only body in charge of monitoring its implementation. I also support meetings on the ministerial as well as on the prime ministerial level. I think such meetings would especially contribute to the finding of a mutually acceptable solution," Doko told Hina.
Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said on Friday the contentious issues would be discussed by Doko and Croatia's Agriculture Minister Petar Cobankovic.
In February, the Bosnian government unilaterally decided to impose tariffs on milk, dairy products and meat imported from Croatia. In the meantime, Zagreb has been even more worried about media announcements that Sarajevo plans to impose tariffs on oil, cigarettes and alcohol imported from Croatia.
Doko said the Bosnian side hoped very much that an agreement could be reached because the Free Trade Agreement had a positive effect on Bosnia's economy and exports, although it was completely discouraging for farmers.
"The Free Trade Agreement is not in question at all, and Bosnia-Herzegovina has benefitted considerably, especially with Croatia, recording a strong growth in exports, much higher than imports," said Doko.
He added that this year Bosnia's foreign trade deficit with Croatia had dropped from a ratio of 1:8 to 1:3.5, but added that the deficit in the agricultural exchange was on the rise.