CROATIA AND YUGOSLAVIA HARMONISE TRADE AGREEMENT

( Editorial: --> 5638 ) BELGRADE, April 8 (Hina) - Representatives of Croatia and Yugoslavia on Wednesday held talks in Belgrade about economic relations between the two countries. Presiding over the meeting were Assistant to the Croatian Foreign Minister, Spomenka Cek, and Assistant to the Yugoslav Foreign Trade Minister, Miodrag Bogdanovic. The two teams said in a joint statement that they had mutually agreed that trade between the two countries was increasing, but was significantly lower than their potential, so a prompt meeting of the two countries' representatives of chambers of commerce and banks would be initiated. The delegations on Wednesday harmonised the text of a trade agreement which can soon be signed. The delegations also tackled the stimulation and protection of investments, avoiding double taxation, joining electric power systems, regulating broadcasting, cooperation in the veterinary field and water supply systems. Croatian and Yugoslav relevant education bodies will work on all issues discussed by the two delegations, the joint statement said. Cek told reporters that agreements of bank experts should be followed by the signing of the agreement on money transfers and bank cooperation. She announced talks on cooperation in power supply and transport, especially on the opening of air corridors for international traffic, and cooperation in telecommunications. Cek also held talks with the Yugoslav Foreign Trade Minister, Borislav Vukovic, about the continuation of drafting the agreement on economic cooperation. (hina) lm mm 082117 MET apr 98