CROATIA EXPECTS TO JOIN WTO NEXT YEAR

ZAGREB, Oct 23 (Hina) - Following the completion of concrete negotiations on certain products and services, Croatia should in 1999 become a members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Croatian Economy Ministry said on Friday. After negotiations on Croatia's accession into the WTO held from October 16 to 22, Croatia will in the first trimester of 1999 complete negotiations on concessions for industrial, agricultural and food products and services, and following the harmonisation of an agreement on accession, it expects to join the organisation. Croatia has for years been holding negotiation on joining the WTO which comprises 134 countries and rounds up more than 80 per cent of total global trade. The Croatian negotiating team headed by Assistant Economy Minister Neven Mimica held talks with 25 countries, members if the Working Group for admitting Croatia into the WTO, as well as bilateral talks with interested countries. It is the estimate of the Working Group that Croatia has since 1996 made significant changes to adapt its economy and trade systems to the regulations and principles of the World Trade Organisation, and has mostly fulfilled conditions for being accepted. In order to be admitted into the WTO, however, it is necessary to adapt laws and regulations in customs and tax systems, and draft regulations concerning the property of intellectual property. (hina) lml