FOREIGN MINISTRY ISSUES STATEMENT ON VISA REGIMES WITH NEIGHBOURS

ZAGREB, Jan 29 (Hina) - Croatia, chairing the Stability Pact's third working table on security issues and a being member of many European Union (EU) programmes, is taking all the possible measures envisaged by world processes as necessary steps to prevent smuggling of and traffic in people, drugs and arms, Croatia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Monday. Croatia is trying to move "the Shengen border" towards its east and much farther, in cooperation with its eastern neighbours. Such practice implies the fulfilment of commitments which Croatia's neighbours have towards the United Nations, the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe, the EU and other associations. As regards the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), Croatia expects from that country not only to undergo a series of political changes and the genuine democratisation but also to take over and fulfil commitments from programmes for the prevention of smuggling of and traffic in people, narcotics and weapons. (FRY's) fulfilment of those commitments could lead to Croatia's consideration of an easier process for the issuance of tourist visas for FRY citizens. After Sunday's meeting with his Yugoslav counterpart Vojislav Kostunica in Davos, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said the re- consideration of the visa regime with the FRY could be made only after Yugoslavia met democratic standards and all what the international community asked from Belgrade. (hina) ms