JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED FOLLOWING TUDJMAN-IZETBEGOVIC MEETING

SPLIT, 6 Aug (Hina) - Following a meeting of delegations of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, led by the Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and the President of the Presidency of Bosnia- Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegovic, which was held in Split on Wednesday, the following statement was issued (unofficial translation): "A delegation of the Republic of Croatia, led by President Franjo Tudjman, a delegation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, led by the chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegovic, and the highest officials of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, led by Vladimir Soljic, on 6 August 1997 met in Split for talks, which focused on the implementation of the Dayton and Washington peace accords, the development of cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in particular, on the strengthening of relations within the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and its cooperation with the Republic of Croatia. The two sides confirmed readiness to conduct a consistent, integral and accelerated implementation of the peace agreements for the sake of strengthening peace and establishing and making operational democratic institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as for the sake of the overall normalisation of relations in this part of Europe. The two sides confirmed their commitment to preserve and strengthen the integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, constitutionally organised as a state of three equal constituent peoples and two multi-ethnic entities which will strengthen their mutual relations within Bosnia and Herzegovina and cooperate with neighbouring countries in line with the Dayton agreement and the Political Declaration of the Council for Peace Implementation from Sintra. Both sides judged the Washington agreement on the strengthening of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a very important contribution to the peace process and an indispensable framework for the realisation of equal national, political and other interests of the Croat and Bosniak peoples. The Council for Cooperation between the Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has had an important role in the implementation of the Dayton and Washington peace agreements. It has positively affected the improvement of relations between the two states and strengthened the cooperation between the Croat and Bosniak peoples, especially in the promotion of the policy of mutual trust and reconciliation and mutual respect for national identity and other values. All political, state, media and other institutions, societies and associations in Bosnia and Herzegovina are called to continue promoting co-existence. It has been agreed for the sake of improving cooperation on the basis of the existing agreements that by 1 September 1997, the two sides exchange draft agreements on the regulation of relations between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and the establishment of a council for cooperation between the two countries, as well as on the establishment of a council for cooperation between Croatia and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will define special contractual relations in accordance with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dayton and Washington agreements, Sintra Declaration and conclusions of the Office of the High Representative. In the spirit of such a joint political stand, it has been agreed that a special mixed legal and political group complete the adjustment of the signed bilateral agreements and prepare all other agreements which are of mutual interest within three months. In that process, special attention will be paid to the completion of talks on the permanent solution of the question of use of Ploce port and transit through Neum municipality, as well as on the agreement on property and legal relations, investment protection, dual citizenship etc. The delegations of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirm their interest in strengthening economic cooperation. It has been agreed that an expert group should immediately prepare a program of measures for the improvement of economic cooperation, the balancing of commodity trade, the changing of the regime of customs-free trade, especially of energy products' trade and for the solution of other questions concerning the implementation of the Agreement on Economic Cooperation and Trade. It has been agreed that the opening of new border crossings along the whole border be secured through the adoption of a special annex to the Agreement on Border Crossings. A joint border and customs station will be set up on the border crossing Brcko-Gunja, in line with the decisions of the Arbitration Commission. Preparations for the drawing up of proposals on the organisation and construction of joint border crossings will begin immediately and the international institutions will be called to participate in the financing of some projects. Cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia in The Hague will continue. The two sides share belief that processes and trials should reflect an objective approach towards the degree of involvement of sides ad individuals in war crimes. The two sides confirm the right to the organised, voluntary and safe return of refugees to their homes and protection from intimidation as well as the adoption of adequate legislation. The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina will in the shortest possible time prepare an integral program of return in cooperation with institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Governments of the Republic of Croatia and the Federation will agree on necessary measures for assistance in reconstruction with the aim of speeding up the return. The two sides stressed their request for intensified overall activities in finding missing persons. It is a joint conclusion that the media have a very important role in creating a positive attitude towards the strengthening of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the overall implementation of the peace agreements. In that context, media are called to contribute to the promotion of trust and reconciliation in the spirit of this statement and in accordance with media freedom and independence. (hina) jn rm 061652 MET aug 97