TALKS ON PLOCE PORT TO CONTINUE NEXT WEEK IN ZAGREB

SARAJEVO, 2 Oct (Hina) - Following Thursday's meeting of negotiating groups from Croatia and the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which are discussing an agreement on the port of Ploce, Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges stated that the talks would continue at a higher level next week in Zagreb. Croatia's and Federation's working groups are holding talks on an agreement which is to regulate the use of the Croatian port of Ploce by the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as on an agreement that will enable unimpeded passage through the area of Neum, which is a short stretch of the Adriatic coast belonging to the Federation. #L# Today's talks, which were held in Sarajevo, were also attended by U.S. experts. The talks in Zagreb, which are to be held most probably on 8 October, will also to be attended by Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and Vice Premier Ljerka Mintas-Hodak. The current stage of the talks is sensitive, Porges said, adding his impression was that the stalemate had been overcome. We are grateful to the United States for their contribution and attempt to remove doubts with their drafts, but I personally did not have the mandate to be guided by the U.S. draft. I think that it does contain elements which are acceptable for both sides. I am optimistic when it comes to possible progress in the next ten days, Porges said. Bosnia's Foreign Trade Minister Hasan Muratovic stated that there are no major differences between the two sides. 'We have entered a phase when it is necessary to hold talks at the highest level after which experts will be able to discuss the particulars of the future agreement,' Muratovic said. The Federation is currently using Ploce port on the basis of provisional agreements signed in May 1996. (hina) rm 021851 MET oct 97