FOREIGN MINISTRY COUNCIL DISCUSSES SITUATION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

ZAGREB, Jan 16 (Hina) - The Croatian Foreign Ministry Council on Monday held a debate on the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina concluding that stimulating the economy as well as the economic cooperation between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina would guarantee a faster return of refugees and the re-building of the pre-war population structure. Yesterday's session was the third meeting of this body, the Foreign Ministry reported on Tuesday. The Council also supported the establishment of a foundation for assistance to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croats living outside of Croatia, for example in Vojvodina and Montenegro. "Bosnia-Herzegovina is burdened with problems and we should help its society establish its own identity based on integration elements of a united Bosnia-Herzegovina," reads a statement issued by the Ministry. The negative perception of Bosnia-Herzegovina in Croatia has begun to change over the past year, the statement adds. The Foreign Ministry Council was established in autumn last year with the aim of including prominent experts on international relations and economy as well as politicians and representatives of civic associations in the process of political planning. The Council is chaired by professor Radovan Vukadinovic and his deputy is professor Drazen Kalogjera. Other members of the Council are academicians Dusan Bilandzic and Mislav Jezic, professor Zdravko Tomac, professor Esad Cimic (Zadar's Faculty of Philosophy), professor Marko Tadic, Ph. D. Milan Stancic (Institute for International Relations), MA Ivo Skrabalo, MA Franjo Turek, Tomislav Jakic (Office of the President), Davor Cukon (European House), Davor Gjenero (Novi List daily), Tin Gazivoda (Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, HHO) and Ivan Kozlica (Defence Ministry). (hina) sb rml