CROATIAN & YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTERS TO MEET FOR TALKS TOMORROW

( Editorial: --> 4181 ) ZAGREB, Aug 17 (Hina) - The Croatian and Yugoslav Foreign Ministers, Mate Granic and Zivadin Jovanovic respectively, are to discuss the issues of the Prevlaka peninsula and the marking of borders at a meeting in Zagreb on Tuesday. These two questions are viewed differently by the two sides, Croatia's Granic told reporters on Monday. Granic and Jovanovic are also to discuss the situation in the region and bilateral relations. "The main problem we are going to discuss is the marking of the state borderline and a permanent resolution to the issue of Prevlaka," Granic said. Croatia views the problem of Prevlaka exclusively as a security issue while Yugoslavia believes that it is a territorial dispute between the two states. The peninsula closes in on one side of the Boka Kotorska bay, an important strategic point for Yugoslavia. Security Council resolutions and the findings of the Badinter Commission have supported the stand that Prevlaka is part of Croatia's territory. Because of the sensitive nature of this issue, the United Nations has deployed a monitoring mission on Prevlaka. It is important for Croatia to solve the problem of Prevlaka as soon as possible so that conditions for the completion of the UN mission in the whole of Croatia could be created by October 15, when the UN mission on Prevlaka is to withdraw, Granic said. "We do not expect the talks will be easy," he said. During the Yugoslav Foreign Minister's visit, the two sides will also sign agreements on trade and investment protection and stimulation. These agreements were initialled half a year ago but regardless of that Croatia will respect all decisions of the international community including even possible sanctions against Yugoslavia, the Croatian Foreign Minister said. After they signed the Normalisation Agreement - the key document which regulates their relations - and eight other agreements on bilateral relations which are being implemented in a correct manner, Croatia and Yugoslavia are now entering a new stage of relations, which includes the resolution of other issues. The two countries recently agreed on the opening of a Croatian general consulate in Subotica and a Yugoslav consulate in Vukovar. Croatia believes that Yugoslavia will also agree to the opening of a Croatian consulate in Kotor. Granic and Jovanovic tomorrow will also discuss the situation in Kosovo, the succession to the former state, missing and imprisoned persons, a minority protection agreement, the opening of air corridors and river traffic. Granic said he expected Jovanovic also to open the question of the visa regime between the two countries. This is a very sensitive issue for Croatia considering the crisis in Kosovo and the refugee return process, he added. (hina) rml/mbr 171726 MET aug 98