ZAGREB, Dec 19 (Hina) - Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday signed a free trade agreement which is expected to further both the trade and overall relations between the two neighbouring countries. The agreement was signed in
Zagreb by Prime Minister Ivica Racan on behalf of the Croatian Government and by Martin Raguz, the chairman of Bosnia's government, the Council of Ministers. Upon signing, Racan and Raguz expressed satisfaction with the document as well as with their talks, saying the free trade contract would benefit both countries. "I would say this has recently been the most significant agreement for both countries, concluded after two or three years of negotiations, and I believe it will intensify not only economic and trade ties between the two countries but overall relations as well," Raguz told reporters. He reminded that the exchange of commodities had steadily been falling in the last two years
ZAGREB, Dec 19 (Hina) - Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday
signed a free trade agreement which is expected to further both the
trade and overall relations between the two neighbouring
countries.
The agreement was signed in Zagreb by Prime Minister Ivica Racan on
behalf of the Croatian Government and by Martin Raguz, the chairman
of Bosnia's government, the Council of Ministers.
Upon signing, Racan and Raguz expressed satisfaction with the
document as well as with their talks, saying the free trade contract
would benefit both countries.
"I would say this has recently been the most significant agreement
for both countries, concluded after two or three years of
negotiations, and I believe it will intensify not only economic and
trade ties between the two countries but overall relations as
well," Raguz told reporters.
He reminded that the exchange of commodities had steadily been
falling in the last two years, since the revocation of the former
free trade contract in May 1998, and expressed hope the new
agreement would stop that downward trend.
"The contract is a good agreement both for Bosnia and Croatia,"
Raguz assessed adding that as of January 1, 2001, when the deal
takes effect, Bosnia would be able to export all its products duty-
free in Croatia.
Commenting on the talks the Bosnian delegation had with his
Croatian hosts, Raguz said they had agreed on forming an inter-
state commission in charge of refugee returns. The commission which
will be at a ministerial level begins its activities Tuesday.
"We have agreed that after the New Year we should invest joint
efforts in terms of... new bilateral agreements and contracts,
primarily regarding property and legal relations, a dual
citizenship contract, the protection of investments, double
taxation and the re-opening of the Bihac-Knin railway line," the
Bosnian official stressed.
As regards the latest measures which relevant ministries of the two
countries have adopted on the import of meat and meat products,
competent bodies should hold talks in Zagreb on Wednesday afternoon
to settle the matter.
Croatian PM Racan told reporters that such meetings of high-ranking
officials should be held at least twice a year and expressed his
satisfaction with the signed document.
Croatia and its Government would like to contribute to the
cooperation with neighbouring and friendly Bosnia. We want to solve
open issues and clearly define priorities in those bids, the PM
stressed.
He added the two sides today also discussed models of cooperation
which both countries preferred - "less aid and more cooperation,
i.e. economic cooperation of mutual interest."
The Croatian Government will stimulate domestic economic and
financial factors to orientate themselves towards economic
cooperation with Bosnia. This should be to the benefit of the
peoples of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the citizens of Croatia, he
said.
Asked about Neum, the only Bosnian coastal stretch which separates
the southernmost part of Croatia from the rest of country, Racan
announced the settlement of the issue in the coming period.
In view of possibilities for Croatia and Bosnia to appear together
on third markets, he answered that the intensified cooperation
between Croatian and Bosnian economic factors entailed their joint
appearance on third markets.
In this context, Martin Raguz added they had agreed that Sarajevo
and Zagreb should establish a bilateral economic commission which
would define their strategic priorities after January 1.
(hina) ms