MEMORANDUM ON REGIONAL COOPERATION IN FIREFIGHTING SIGNED

MOSTAR, July 17 (Hina) - Representatives of the Stabilisation Force, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, the Bosnia-Herzegovina Federation's municipality of Ravno, Republika Srpska's municipality of Trebinje, and Montenegro's Herceg Novi signed a memorandum on the understanding of a regional fire-fighting strategy in the southern Bosnian-Herzegovina town of Mostar Tuesday. According to the memorandum, the SFOR, which controls Bosnia's air space, will allow the fire-fighting Canadairs, located in Croatia, to enter Bosnia-Herzegovina when needed. It was explained that the SFOR will insist on a minimal administrative procedure to be able to act upon wildfires as soon as possible, before the wildfires get out of control. In line with the agreement, a joint fire coordinating centre should be established. The centre will coordinate all fire-fighting activities within the regions. Dubrovnik-Neretva County prefect Ivan Sprlje said wildfires consumed over 16,000 hectares of land in the Dubrovnik area last year. Sprlje said his county was open to cooperation with all signatories of the memorandum aiming at the promotion of safety and peace. Colin Munro, head of the Office of the High Representative in Mostar, said the memorandum was an important step towards regional cooperation, adding it would be presented to the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe. (hina) np it