CROATIA TO ENTER JOINT AVIATION AUTHORITIES IN MID-2001

ZAGREB, Dec 19 (Hina) - Croatia is likely to become an associate member of the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) in the mid-2001, an assistant to Croatian Transport Minister, Boris Smrecki, told reporters on Tuesday after he held talks with a JAA delegation. The country and its national air carrier - Croatia Airlines - have already begun to apply JAA standards because of the safety and security of air traffic and because of their easier approach to the competition with other companies, Smrecki added. JAA Secretary-General Klaus Koplin confirmed that Croatia would soon become a member of this body. In this context he cited two reasons for its admission in the JAA - the security of traffic, particularly during tourist seasons, and the strengthening of the commercial position of Croatia and Croatia Airlines. Croatia has been a full member of European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) for three years ECAC Secretary General Karl Heinz Neumeister stressed that it was necessary for Croatia to be admitted to the JAA because of the adjustment of standards in the air traffic. According to him, this will enhance the liberalisation of the traffic and make it possible for Croatia to achieve its commercial aims in this field. He assessed that Croatia's air space was safe and secure for traffic. The JAA is an associate member of the ECAC, and includes representatives of air authorities of European countries. (hina) ms