ZAGREB, April 30 (Hina) - The Croatian Parliament on Friday approved a free trade agreement with Serbia and Montenegro, under which free trade between the two countries would be established gradually.
ZAGREB, April 30 (Hina) - The Croatian Parliament on Friday approved a
free trade agreement with Serbia and Montenegro, under which free
trade between the two countries would be established gradually. #L#
The agreement provides for the abolishment of customs duties on most
of the industrial products, while customs on a small number of them
will be gradually reduced and ultimately abolished on January 1,
2007.
The Parliament ratified the 1992 European Convention on Film
Co-Production, which promotes European film production, and the 1992
European Convention on the Protection of Archeological Heritage.
The "Golden Coat-of-Arms" Award, which was given to members of
Parliament in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the
promotion of democracy and parliamentarianism, was abolished.
The Parliament endorsed reports by the Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for
Children, the Ombudsman for Gender Equality, and the Securities
Commission.
Ombudsman Ante Klaric called for the further development of the
institution of ombudsman, and for more funds for the work of his
office, saying that many citizens were approaching his office because
they could obtain legal advice free of charge.
Klaric stood by his view that former tenancy right holders who had
left Croatia without good reason and of their own free will to join
enemy forces or avoid participating in the defence of Croatia should
not be entitled to any form of financial compensation.
Milorad Pupovac of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS)
objected to this view, asking who would judge whether someone did
something of their own free will or whether good reason existed.
(Hina) vm sb