WORKING GROUP FOR CRO'S ACCESS INTO WTO WILL NOT HOLD SESSION

ZAGREB, Oct 20 (Hina) - The last formal session of the Working Group for Croatia's Access into the World Trade Organisation cannot be held, as scheduled, on October 21, because negotiations between the United States and the European Union about concessions for audio- visual services have not yet been completed, the Croatian Economy Ministry said in a statement Wednesday. Disagreement between the USA and the European Union on this issue directly influence Croatia in bilateral talks -- accepting the views of one side, Croatia has come up against opposition on the other side. The Croatian negotiating team has acquainted the WTO with the problem which arose at the very end of the entire accession process, and stressed Croatia would accept any agreement reached between the USA and the EU in direct talks. Croatian Economy Ministry and the negotiating team believe that in the negotiations, important progress has been achieved and that the last formal session of the working group for Croatia's access into the WTO could be held before the regular session of the WTO main council, at which the organisation should decide on Croatia's membership. The WTO main council session has been scheduled for November 4 and 5, 1999, the Economy Ministry said. (hina) lml jn