YUGOSLAVIA'S MILUTINOVIC COMMENTS ON OPENING OF HIGHWAY

BELGRADE, May 7 (Hina) - Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic described the opening of the Adriatic oil pipeline and the Zagreb-Belgrade highway on Tuesday as an important step in the normalization of relations between Yugoslavia and Croatia. Milutinovic said that the opening of the pipeline and the highway marked the beginning of implementation of an agreement reached during his visit to Zagreb on March 11. "The opening of the oil pipeline and the highway will directly benefit all citizens because it will enable a normal flow of people and goods between the two countries," he said. Milutinovic said that this would contribute to the stabilization of the situation and the strengthening of confidence in the possibility of permanent coexistence in the Danube river area. He said that Yugoslavia supported the consistent implementation of the Erdut agreement which guarantees equal rights and full protection of civil and human rights to the population in the area. Milutinovic expressed hope that other important issues between Yugoslavia and Croatia would be solved successfully on the basis of mutual interest, understanding and good neighbourly relations. (hina) vm 072014 MET may 96