MESIC RETURNS FROM OFFICIAL VISIT TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

ZAGREB, March 24 (Hina) - Bosnia-Herzegovina has the same goals as Croatia and those are "a united Europe and friendly relations", Croatian President Stipe Mesic told reporters at Zagreb airport on Friday evening upon his arrival from Sarajevo, where he was on a two-day official visit. Speaking about open issues between the two countries, Mesic said there were many, however, "they all can be solved, one by one." The President announced that the next meeting of the Croatian- Bosnian Council for Cooperation would be held in Zagreb within one and a half to two months, and expressed hope some of the open issues would be resolved by then. The main message which I carried on my visit, and which was accepted, was that Croats must be a constituent nation on the whole territory of Bosnia-Herzegovina and that refugees must return, Mesic said, adding the Dayton agreement could be further built only after those two goals were achieved. Asked whether he talked with the President of the BH Presidency Alija Izetbegovic about opening joint embassies, Mesic said this "simply cannot be done." "We can only talk about providing one another with consular services in the areas where we agree on it." "The return of refugees can help calm the whole region and everybody understands that." However, Mesic added, returnees need flats and houses where they can return, and they need jobs. "That is why the international community must help us activate economic resources," he said. (hina) rml