CROATIA READY TO COOPERATE WITH OSCE - FOREIGN MINISTRY

ZAGREB, Jan 29 (Hina) - A senior official with Croatian Foreign Ministry met Swiss foreign minister in Zagreb Monday to discuss implementation of the Basic Agreement on eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Srijem region, the Ministry said in a statement. Ivan Simonovic, first aide to Croatian foreign minister and Flavio Cotti, Swiss foreign minister, discussed the role of Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the area. #L# The OSCE, currently chaired by Switzerland, was envisioned to setup observing teams which would monitor the respect of the human and minority rights of all residents. Simonovic stressed Croatia's willingness to cooperate with the OSCE. He said Croatia was interested in deployment of the OSCE observers at the Prevlaka peninsula as well, after expiry of the U.N. mandate, three months from now. "The OSCE can count on our full support during the process of defining its mandate," he added. Speaking of bilateral ties between the two countries, both sides voiced satisfaction over their steady progress, the statement said. Simonovic and Cotti agreed there was still room for further development, particularly in economy, the statement said, adding that they discussed how to work out agreements on avoiding double taxation and on protection of investments. (Hina) mm bk 291916 MET jan 96