FRY GOVT REPORTS ON TALKS BETWEEN CRO, FRY FOREIGN MINISTERS

BELGRADE, Feb 21 (Hina) - The Yugoslav Government on Friday assessed the talks between Yugoslav and Croatian Foreign Ministers, Milan Milutinovic and Mate Granic respectively, as positive, adding that they encouraged the improvement of Yugoslav-Croatian relations and cooperation, the Federal Information Secretariat said in a statement. The report stressed that it was important to continue negotiations on the establishment and development of cooperation in transport, trade, economy, finances and banking, science and technology, environment protection, and other fields. Of special importance , the report went on, was an agreement on the necessity of speeding up the solving of issues regarding social insurance, the pension scheme and disability insurance, issues regarding the return of refugees, the protection of their property and the property of Yugoslav citizens on Croatia's territory. Both ministers expressed willingness to fully implement the Erdut Agreement, in order to provide conditions for a safe and permanent stay and full equality of Serbs in the Srijem-Baranja area, the report pointed out. The Yugoslav Government stressed that the Croatian side firmly assured that, during the 13 April elections, all voters would be issued with necessary documents and that all conditions for properly prepared, democratic, free and fair elections would be ensured, the report concluded. (hina) ha 211858 MET feb 97