BOSNIAN, CROATIAN GOVT DELEGATIONS ISSUE STATEMENT AFTER SPLIT MEE

MEE $ TING SPLIT, Feb 26 (Hina) - Delegations of the Governments of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, led by Premiers Zlatko Matesa and Hasan Muratovic respectively, met in Split today to discuss the implementation of the conclusions of the Council for Cooperation between Croatia and the Federation and the Republic of Bosnia- Herzegovina, as well as the strengthening of bilateral economic relations and other important issues. #L# According to a statement distributed to reporters, the two delegations confirmed their full commitment to the implementation of the Washington and Dayton Accords as well as of the Rome agreements. The two delegations also discussed some practical measures for the implementation of the agreements. In a very open and constructive discussion, the Bosnian and Croatian officials tackled various aspects of bilateral relations. The leaders of the two delegations signed the Protocol on origin of merchandise which enables the implementation of the Agreement on Economic Cooperation and Trade. Premiers Matesa and Muratovic also signed the agreements on air traffic, execution of court decisions, legal aid in civil and penal issues, execution of court decisions and annulment of visas for citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina who live on the territory of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. According to this last agreement, visas would no longer be necessary for Federation citizens as of March 4, 1996. The two delegations thoroughly discussed the proposals on the ways of use of the Ploce port, which, along with the strengthening of bilateral relations, would be mutually beneficial and in line with the Washington and Dayton agreements. It was agreed that a joint group, headed by Croatian Vice Premier Ljerka Mintas-Hodak and Bosnian Government Minister for Communications and Foreign Trade, Neven Tomic, would be formed. The group is to prepare a coordinated draft agreement by March 10 and it should be accepted and signed by the two governments by March 15. It was necessary to speed up the coordination of other agreements, if the strengthening of overall relations was to be achieved, the two delegations said. They agreed that agreements on property and legal issues, avoidance of double taxation, road and railway traffic, border crossings and other issues should be prepared by the already mentioned deadline. Discussing the current political situation, the delegations expressed satisfaction with the progress in the implementation of the Rome agreements on the normalisation of the situation in Mostar and called on all authorised institutions to continue their contribution to the further trust-building. The Bosnian and Croatian officials stressed the importance of the agreement on the completion of the process of cantonal organisation of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The return of Velika Kladusa and Cazin refugees to their homes as well as the return of refugees to the area of the whole of the Federation was one of the topics at today's talks. The two delegations confirmed their readiness to coordinate external activities as regards the reconstruction of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Stressing the idea that regular contacts and cooperation were of mutual interest, the Bosnian and Croatian government delegations agreed to meet in Sarajevo in mid March, the statement said. The two delegations held a press conference after the meeting, stressing their satisfaction with its exceptional results and describing it as one of rare international meetings that were held in such a friendly and constructive atmosphere. Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa stressed the importance of the Bosnian market and called on Croatian businessmen to visit Bosnia - Herzegovina. (hina) rm 262148 MET feb 96