CROATIAN FARM MINISTER TO ATTEND VENICE CONFERENCE ON FISHERIES

ZAGREB, Nov 21 (Hina) - Croatian Agriculture Minister Bozidar Pankretic will take part in a ministerial conference on sustainable fisheries, scheduled for 25 and 26 November in Venice. #L# According to a press release issued by Pankretic's ministry, Croatia's participation in the coming conference is of great importance for the country in light of its position abroad after the parliament's declaration of a protected fishing and ecological zone and Zagreb's bids to ensure as good positions as possible in the future negotiations with the European Commission. The two-day Venice conference will focus on expansion of national jurisdictions through concerted action as suggested in EC documents. Participants will also consider the structure and activities of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). The Commission is likely adopt a declaration on harmonising measures for the sustainable fisheries in the Mediterranean. A copy of the draft declaration has already been discussed by competent bodies of the Croatian government which was notified of it. The document has a political character and that's why it will not be signed. Croatia's delegation will use the Venice event as an opportunity to explain the country's decision to expand jurisdiction in the Adriatic, based on international law under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Croatian officials will stress that although it was not legally bound to do so, Zagreb postponed the application for the decision for one year so that in this transitional period it could continue negotiating with all interested parties on the matter. Croatia will inform the Venice conference that it has ratified the statute of the GFCM. Thus, Croatia shows its willingness to transfer a part of its sovereignty to this co-ordinating international body under certain conditions and contribute to the establishment of regional cooperation. (hina) ms sb