CROATIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISCUSSES NEUM AND PLOCE

ZAGREB, March 10 (Hina) - The voting on the ratification of the agreement signed between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia on the free usage of the Croatian port of Ploce and the free passage for Croatia through the Bosnian town of Neum will be postponed until the Agreement on Special Relations between Croatia and the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina is ratified, Vladimir Seks of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) said on Wednesday's session of the Croatian National Parliament House of Representatives. The suggestion to postpone the ratification on the agreement o Ploce and Neum until the other side ratifies the agreement on special relations was mooted by several MPs of the HDZ. Drazen Budisa of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) agreed with them, holding that before the ratification of the agreement on Ploce and Neum, issues on Bosnia's exit and approach to the sea should be resolved, so the questions would not be opened after the ratification. Although they held the agreement not perfect and enabling a protectorate over a part of Croatian territory, most MPs said it should be ratified, for political reasons. Almost all MPs were critical towards Article 9 of the agreement, according to which a commission would be established comprising three members from Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina each, while the seventh member, who would also be the chairperson, would be appointed by the International Court for the Rights of Seas. The chairperson would make final decisions about issues on which the two sides would not be able to reach an agreement. The commission's decisions would be held final and binding. Mato Arlovic of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) stressed the article overstepped the Croatian Constitution, and suggested that committees for legislature and internal affairs and national security discuss the issue and submit their opinions to the Parliament. Economy Minister Nenad Porges stressed the agreement on Ploce and Neum would not separate or transfer any part of Croatian sovereignty to another country. The agreement is in accordance with the Constitution and laws, and the free zone in Ploce would be under the jurisdiction of Croatian laws, Porges stressed. The agreement envisages free transit through Croatian territory and from the Ploce port, as well as through the Bosnia-Herzegovina territory through Neum. The agreement also envisages the establishment of a free zone in the port of Ploce in line with Croatian laws. The agreement will be in effect for 30 years. (hina) lml mm