HOUSE OF COUNTIES SUPPORTS NORMALIZATION AGREEMENT

ZAGREB, 17 Sept (Hina) - After an extensive, two-day discussion, the Croatian Parliament House of Counties adopted, by majority vote, a Bill confirming the Agreement on the normalisation of relations between Croatia and Yugoslavia. The Bill was passed with 35 votes in favour, two against and 16 abstentions. #L# By the Agreement, signed on 23 August in Belgrade, Croatia and Yugoslavia recognised each other as independent, sovereign and equal states within their internationally recognised borders. The Agreement also envisages the establishment of diplomatic relations and presents a starting framework for cooperation between the two states. During the discussion, Opposition representatives reiterated the Agreement had been signed too early, that Croatia did not have to hurry anywhere and should not be helping Yugoslavia to get out of the difficult situation it was in. Representatives of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) stressed that the ratification of the agreement was in Croatia's interest and that it was the result of Croatia's patient and well- run policy. Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Simonovic recalled that the Agreement would take effect after it has been ratified by representative bodies of the two states and after documents on its ratification have been exchanged. The Yugoslav parliament should discuss the Agreement on 27 September, Simonovic added. Speaking about the most frequent issue - the southern Prevlaka peninsula - Simonovic said that Prevlaka was unquestionably part of Croatia's sovereign territory and that it was under Croatian authority. Any trading or jeopardizing of Croatia's territorial integrity was out of the question, Simonovic said, adding that this would be guaranteed by the Croatian Parliament and citizens. (hina) rm mm 171422 MET sep 96