ZAGREB, Feb 11 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Sunday met with Jadranko Prlic, the Foreign Minister in the Government of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a statement from the Croatian Foreign Ministry
said.
ZAGREB, Feb 11 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on
Sunday met with Jadranko Prlic, the Foreign Minister in the
Government of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a statement from
the Croatian Foreign Ministry said. #L#
During the first official meeting of the two ministers since
the establishment of the governments of the Republic and the
Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Minister Granic expressed
satisfaction with the fact that both governments had been
established in accordance with the Dayton agreement. This had
created all conditions for successful implementation of the
Washington and Dayton accords, he added.
The two ministers especially stressed the latest developments
in Mostar following the EU Administrator of Mostar Hans Koschnik's
decision on the organisation of the city. They both agreed that it
was necessary to settle the crisis in the city. It was also
necessary to continue negotiations with the aim of finding such a
solution which would be in line with the Dayton agreement, be
acceptable for both sides and lead to the further strengthening of
the Federation and equality of both peoples. The Croat and Bosniac
side in the Federation should be engaged more constructively in the
cooperation with the European Union and Administrator of Mostar
Hans Koschnik. Croatia would provide full support for such an
orientation since it saw the basis for the realisation of interests
of both peoples in the consistent implementation of the Dayton
agreement, the Croatian Foreign Minister said.
Speaking about the current processes in the Federation,
especially about the establishment of the Government and its tasks,
the two ministers agreed that the establishment of the Federation
and its cooperation with the Republic of Croatia was an
irreplaceable strategic interest. Access to European integration
processes and security organisations as well as cooperation with
third countries was in the interest of both countries, the two
ministers agreed.
Granic and Prlic also agreed that Bosnia-Herzegovina and
Croatia should coordinate the return of refugees and displaced
persons, stressing again the importance of respecting the part of
the Dayton agreement on the right of all refugees to return to
their homes.
They also agreed on cooperation in returning Velika Kladusa
and Cazin refugees from the refugee camp Kupljensko near Karlovac
to their homes.
The two ministers confirmed the agreement on a forthcoming
meeting between the prime ministers of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina
and the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, scheduled for 26
February. It is expected that the premiers will sign several
agreements on trade, transport, visas and other issues important
for the strengthening of cooperation, including the continuation of
the talks on the use of the Ploce port.
The talks between the Croatian and Bosnian parliamentary
delegations were announced at today's meeting as well. Ministers
Granic and Prlic also agreed on the importance of maintaining
contacts and coordination of activities of the foreign ministries
of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Federation of Bosnia-
Herzegovina.
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