CROATIAN EMPLOYERS APPLAUD BUSINESSMEN'S VISIT TO BELGRADE

ZAGREB, Nov 15 (Hina) - The Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) views today's departure of Croatian business people to Belgrade as a good endeavour to promote the economic relations between Croatia and Yugoslavia. The HUP, however, cautioned that the Croatian Government had failed to express a clear stand on future relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and this visit of Croatian entrepreneurs could be just informative, HUP head Zeljko Ivancevic told a news conference on Wednesday. Ivancevic pointed out that the two countries had still not regulated a series of bilateral issues important for business cooperation. In addition, the issue of the restitution of the Croatian companies' property in Yugoslavia has still not been settled, and there are customs barriers for more successful business cooperation, he added. He reminded that in the wake of defused tensions in the region there were attempts to start cooperation which were encumbered by the fact that deals were done via third countries. Contrary to Croatia, Slovenia and Macedonia have arranged many issues important for economic relations with Yugoslavia, Ivancevic said. The trip of 420 Croatian business people to Belgrade has been organised by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce. Representatives of some 500 Serbian firms have applied for the talks. (hina) ms