CROATIA PREPARING FOR FINAL NEGOTIATIONS WITH WTO

ZAGREB, Jan 14 (Hina) - Croatia is preparing for final talks with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on accessing this institution, and we will hold negotiations with the United States at the end of January, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic said in Zagreb on Thursday. "Croatia believes that the bilateral talks would end by April," Granic said ahead of a meeting Thursday focusing on preparing for bilateral talks between Croatian representatives and several countries, including the United States. "The United States is supporting us and has scheduled a date for the bilateral talks," Granic added. Economic Minister Nenad Porges will hold talks with the American side about Croatia's joining the WTO in Washington on January 28 and 29. Granic added that significant progress has been achieved in negotiations on industry, which are held as part of negotiations on Croatia's accession. This issue has "practically come to a close", he stressed. "The most important issue is to harmonise concessions to be made by the Republic of Croatia in agriculture," Granic added. (hina) lml mm