CROATIA COULD JOIN WTO IN FEBRUARY 2000 AT EARLIEST - MIMICA

ZAGREB, Nov 23 (Hina) - Talks on Croatia's admission into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) could be finished in December 1999 whereas the procedure of admission could be finalised in January 2000, with Croatia becoming a full WTO member and taking over its obligations by February 1 at the earliest, Croatian Assistant Economy Minister and the chief negotiator regarding Croatia's admission to the WTO, Neven Mimica, said at a lecture "Croatia and the WTO", in Zagreb on Tuesday. Recalling the course of negotiations, Mimica said Croatia's admission was hampered by a dispute between the United States and France regarding the regulation of audio-visual services. The Croatian official said it was realistic to expect that this issue would be resolved by the end of 1999, following a ministerial conference in Seattle. After the conference, the WTO general council would call on Croatia to sign a protocol on admission, he added. According to Mimica, it is important that the WTO will not introduce a moratorium on the admission of new members during the new round of talks which will commence with the Seattle conference, but the admission procedure will run parallel to the negotiations. During the talks on its admission to the WTO, Croatia has managed to obtain one of the longest adjustment periods due to the damage its economy suffered in the war. Therefore, Croatian business people need not be afraid of trade liberalisation and competition which accompanies it, Mimica said, adding the adjustment period could last from two to seven years. Mimica believes Croatia's admission to the WTO represents the country's "escape from isolation and an opportunity to enter other markets, which will make Croatia's economy export-oriented". He also believes attracting foreign investments is the most important issue for Croatia. (hina) rml