CROATIA CONTINUES TALKS ON JOINING WTO

( Editorial: --> 6168 ) GENEVA, Jan 21 (Hina) - Negotiations on admitting Croatia into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) continued in Geneva on Wednesday. During talks with certain countries, progress has been achieved regarding the maximal customs protection of industrial products. Croatia's offer concerning the liberalisation of services has been accepted. Talks between a Croatian delegation and a working group concerning Croatia's entry into the WTO continued on Wednesday. The working group comprises of WTO members interested in Croatia's joining the organisation. The Croatian delegation explained the ways of the harmonising its tax, customs, and trade system with WTO regulations. "We are satisfied with the course of the negotiations and we expect the next round of talks before the summer. Expert meetings with the WTO secretariat concerning the improvement of the Croatian offer of goods are to take place in the days to come," head of the Croatian delegation, assistant Economy Minister, Neven Mimica, said. "Regarding agricultural products, minimal progress has been achieved and serious talks about the protection of agriculture, especially food stuffs in the country are necessary," Mimica said. The Croatian delegation is to continue bilateral talks with Canada, Poland, Australia and the United States. (hina) lm jn 211729 MET jan 98