CRO. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPENS BRANCH IN BOSNIAN SERB CAPITAL

BANJA LUKA, April 30 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and the president of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK), Nadan Vidosevic, opened a HGK branch in Banja Luka, the capital of the Bosnian Serb entity, on Monday. Picula and Vidosevic were later joined by Bosnia's Foreign Minister Zlatko Lagumdzija. Picula voiced hope in a brief speech that the HGK would make use of the fact that "the Banja Luka region... is traditionally directed towards Croatia," and that the branch in Banja Luka would help improve economic ties between Croatia and Republika Srpska (RS). HGK opened a branch in Sarajevo in 1996 and another one in the southern Bosnian town of Mostar a year later. HGK president Vidosevic was hopeful the Banja Luka branch would not represent Croatian economy in RS, but vice versa as well. Foreign Minister Picula will open a Croatian consulate in Banja Luka later in the day. He will also hold talks with Lagumdzija and RS Prime Minister Mladen Ivanic. In the afternoon, Picula will open a bridge connecting the towns of Dvor, Croatia and Bosanski Novi, Bosnia across the Una river. This event should be attended by the United States ambassadors to Croatia and Bosnia, Lawrence Rosin and Thomas Miller respectively. (hina) ha