CROATIA TO ACCESS WTO BY END OF JUNE 1999 - GOVT

ZAGREB, Nov 12 (Hina) - The Croatian Government on Thursday heard a report by a delegation which had conducted negotiations on Croatia's bid for membership in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Croatia should become a full WTO member by the end of June next year, a source close to the Government said following today's session which was held behind closed doors. Bilateral talks between WTO countries and Croatia on industrial goods and services should be completed by the end of this year. Talks on agricultural products and foodstuffs could be closed by the end of March next year. In order to harmonise its legislation with WTO regulations, by June 1, 1999 Croatia will have introduce special taxes on tobacco and tobacco products as well as a law on tobacco and laws regulating intellectual property and product quality control. With the aim of rehabilitating the health system, the Government has adopted a decision on the transfer of 220,000 shares of the Croatian pharmaceutical company Pliva from the portfolio of the Croatian Privatisation Fund into the Croatian Health Insurance Fund. As of today, the Government is a majority owner of the Split-based daily "Slobodna Dalmacija". The Government has also given consent for the shipping companies "Jadrolinija" and "Croatia Line" to seek foreign loans and granted its guarantees. (hina) jn rml