CROATIAN, YUGOSLAV REPS DISCUSS LOCAL BORDER TRAFFIC AGREEMENT

BELGRADE, 7 Aug (Hina) - Delegations of Croatia and Yugoslavia on Thursday met for two-day talks in Belgrade. The two delegations are to discuss an agreement on local border traffic. Croatian Assistant Foreign Minister Hidajet Biscevic told Croatian reporters that the Yugoslav side had shown interest in completing a package of six agreements, which should result in a meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers and the signing of the agreements in the shortest possible time. Two key items in the agreements which still need to be adjusted refer to the size of border areas and the date of the beginning of implementation of the agreements. Croatian Assistant Interior Minister Josko Moric said that the two delegations had brought their stands to a considerably harmonised level. The agreement on local border traffic will be based on the principle of reciprocity, which means that it will refer to the same number of municipalities and villages on both sides of the border as well as to the equal number of citizens who will be able to cross the border with special cards. It is expected that the adoption and implementation of the agreement will strengthen mutual trust. According to the Croatian representatives, the agreement on local border traffic should not exceed the usual international practice concerning the character of privileges for the residents of border areas. Agreements on road and railway traffic are ready for signing. A convention on social issues and a contract on international legal assistance are being completed, and an agreement on border crossings is completed. The Yugoslav delegation was led by Assistance Interior Ministry Mile Puzovic and an ambassador in the Foreign Ministry, Radomir Bogdanovic. (hina) rm jn 072209 MET aug 97