BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY AND EU TROIKA AMBASSADORS HOLD MEETING

SARAJEVO, July 23 (Hina) - During Friday's meeting between the European Union (EU) Troika ambassadors in Sarajevo and Bosnia- Herzegovina's three-man Presidency, the Presidency's chairman, Bosnian Croat member Ante Jelavic, expressed the intention of this collective body to use the summit of the Stability Pact for South- eastern Europe, which is to take place in Sarajevo in the end of July, as a chance for displaying new initiatives of Bosnia's leadership, read a statement released by Jelavic's office today. Ambassadors of Germany, Finland and France, voiced satisfaction with the Bosnian Presidency's recent activities as well as a wish that other joint institutions of Bosnia may follow the example set by the Presidency. EU representatives are also content with stimulation to reduce means earmarked for the military, with the establishment of the secretariat of the permanent military commission, and with the fact that demarcation of the border between Bosnia and Croatia was being successfully completed. They applauded decisions of the Presidency in the field of human rights. Permanent election law should still be passed in order to create conditions for the admission of Bosnia into the Council of Europe by the end of 1999 or at the beginning of 2000, read the statement. The EU Troika Ambassadors told the Presidency that it was possible to make progress in minority returns, in drawing up a law on the work of customs officers and other border workers as well as in adopting regulations about the coat-of-arms and other insignia of the Bosnia. The ambassadors welcomed attempts of Jelavic to stimulate return of Croats and Moslems (Bosniaks) to the Bosnian Serb entity by his visits to the Republic of Srpska. (hina) ms