TEXT OF AGREEMENT ON NORMALIZATION OF CROATIAN-YUGOSLAV RELATIONS

ZAGREB, Aug 23 (Hina) - Following is the full text of the agreement on the normalization of relations between Croatia and Yugoslavia, which was signed in Belgrade on Friday. "The Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (hereinafter: Contracting Parties), aware of their responsibility for establishing and maintaining peace and security in the region, desiring to contribute to it by normalizing relations between them, aiming at advancing the relations between their peoples and citizens have hereby agreed as follows: Article 1 The Contracting Parties respect each other as independent, sovereign and equal states within their respective international borders. Article 2 Each Contracting Party, in accordance with international law, shall respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the other Contracting Party. The Contracting Parties confirm that they shall have their borders regulated and delimitation carried out solely in mutual agreement, that they shall resolve disputes peacefully and refrain from threats or use of force, in accordance with the United Nations Charter. The Contracting Parties shall strive to strengthen mutual confidence, goodwill and tolerance, and shall cooperate to promote peace, stability and development in the region. Article 3 Within 15 days from signing this Agreement, the Contracting Parties shall establish full diplomatic and consular relations. The Contracting Parties shall immediately raise their existing representative missions to the level of embassies, and shall exchange ambassadors. Article 4 The Contracting Parties agree to resolve the disputed issue of Prevlaka by negotiations, in order to avoid tensions present on both sides with regard to this area, which shall contribute to the full security of the part of the Republic of Croatia in the region of Dubrovnik and the part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the region of the Boka Kotorska bay. The Contracting Parties shall resolve this important disputed issue through negotiations in the spirit of the United Nations Charter and good neighbourly relations. Until the mutual agreement on Prevlaka is reached, the Contracting Parties agree to respect the security regime established during the monitoring by the United Nations. Article 5 Starting from the historical fact that Serbia and Montenegro existed as independent states prior to the creation of Yugoslavia, and bearing in mind the fact that Yugoslavia extended the international legal status of these states, the Republic of Croatia acknowledges the existence of the continuity of statehood of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Starting from the historical fact of existence of various forms of state organization of Croatia in the past, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia acknowledges the existence of the continuity of Croatian statehood. The Contracting Parties agree to resolve the SFRY succession issues on the basis of the rules of international law on state succession, and in mutual agreement. Article 6 The Contracting Parties undertake to accelerate the process of resolving the issue of the missing persons without delay, whereas both Contracting Parties shall immediately exchange any available data on such persons. Article 7 The Contracting Parties shall provide conditions for a free and safe return of refugees and displaced persons to their places of residence or to other places they freely choose. The Contracting Parties shall provide for the reinstatement of such persons in the possession of their property, i.e. for just compensation. The Contracting Parties shall provide full security to the refugees and displaced persons who return. The Contracting Parties shall assist such persons in securing the necessary conditions for a normal and secure life. The Contracting Parties shall declare general amnesty for all acts committed in connection with armed conflicts, except for the gravest violations of humanitarian law characterized as war crimes. The Contracting Parties shall encourage consistent and full implementation of the Erdut Agreement on the Croatian Danube region. Each Contracting Party guarantees equal legal protection of the property of natural persons who have the citizenship of the other Contracting Party and legal entities who have their seat in the other Contracting Party, as enjoyed by its own citizens and legal entities. Within six months from the entry of this Agreement into force, the Contracting Parties shall conclude an agreement on the compensation for any destroyed, damaged or missing property. Such agreement shall determine the procedures for exercising the right to just compensation without including legal action. For the purpose of implementing the commitments under this Article, a joint commission consisting of three representatives of each Contracting Party, respectively, shall be established within 30 days from the signing of this Agreement. Article 8 The Contracting Parties shall guarantee the Serbs and Montenegrins in the Republic of Croatia and the Croats in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia all rights they are entitled to on the basis of international law. Article 9 The Contracting Parties shall, within six months from entering into force of this Agreement, conclude a separate social security agreement which shall include disability, health and aged pension insurance, including the payment of aged pensions. The Contracting Parties shall, if need be, conclude other agreements as well, to resolve labour and status issues. Article 10 The Contracting Parties shall continue to cooperate in the normalization of road, railway, air and river traffic on the basis of the principle of reciprocity and good neighbourly relations. Article 11 Internal regulations relating to the stay and movement of foreigners shall apply without discrimination upon the entry, movement and stay of citizens and vehicles of one Contracting Party on the territory of the other Contracting Party. Article 12 The Contracting Parties shall continue to advance their postal, telephone, telegraph communications and other telecommunications. Article 13 The Contracting Parties shall, without delay, enter the conclusion of mutual agreements in the fields of economy, science, education, environmental protection, as well as other issues of mutual interest to the Contracting Parties. The Contracting Parties shall, without delay, conclude an agreement on cultural cooperation which shall include the maintenance and restoration of cultural heritage. Article 14 This Agreement has been done in 2 (two) originals, in the Croatian and Serbian languages respectively, both versions being equally authentic. This Agreement shall be provisionally applied from the date of its signing, and shall enter into force when the Contracting Parties notify each other through diplomatic channels that it has been confirmed by their respective competent authorities." (hina) vm 231816 MET aug 96