TURKISH EMBASSY'S STATEMENT REGARDING DEMIREL'S VISIT TO CROATIA

ZAGREB, Feb 28 (Hina) - The Turkish Embassy today released a statement regarding the Turkish President Suleyman Demirel's official visit to Croatia. The following is the full text of the statement: "His excellency, Suleyman Demirel, the President of the Republic of Turkey, on the way back from his official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina paid a courtesy call to Franjo Tudjman, President of the Republic of Croatia in Zagreb on 27th February. President Demirel was accompanied by General Ismail H. Karadayi, Chief of General Staff and Yildirim Aktuna, Minister of State and Spokesman of the Government. The Two Presidents discussed matters of mutual interest and reviewed the progress achieved in their relations. The two Presidents reviewed the situation in the region and exchanged views on the latest developments and President Suleyman Demirel reaffirmed solidarity and support of Turkey with Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The two presidents concurred on the urgency to accelerate political efforts to reach a peaceful, comprehensive and balanced settlement to the conflict in the region and to avoid further escalation in view of the necessity to utilize best the time available emanating from the cessation of hostilities agreement in Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as the decision on the withdrawal of UNPROFOR from the temporary occupied parts of Croatia. The presidents also reviewed the pressing problems of temporarily occupied areas of Croatia, stressing the urgent need for reintegration of these areas into the constitutional and administrative system of the Republic of Croatia. President Suleyman Demirel confirmed the understanding of Turkey for the decision of President Tudjman to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate with its recent expiry date of March 31, 1995, expressing also the conviction that this decision should be viewed and utilized as a positive impetus to the advancement of the peace process in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The two presidents emphasized that at this crucial period in the crisis, the efforts of the international community and states in the region must be enhanced, coordinated and harmonized in order to capitalize on the current new incentives emanting from the UN resolutions and the Contact Group Peace Plan, aimed at preparing a comprehensive framework for the lasting solution to the crisis in the region. They reaffirmed their conviction that the lasting, just and comprehensive solution for the crisis in the region can only be reached on the basic of full respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity, equal rights and unconditional recognition within the internationally recognized borders of the states in the region of former Yugoslavia and on the basis of constitutional guarantees for the full respect and protection of the rights of national minorities and ethnic communities. The presidents also called for the cooperation of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia- Montenegro) with its neighbours for the peace plan to be successful. The presidents reviewed the recent developments that are taking place in the peace process for Bosnia-Herzegovina and efforts to bring the Bosniac-Croat Federation into full function. They endorsed their solemn support for the implementation of the Federation Agreements in the whole of the Federation's territory. To this end, they also agreed that the trilateral good offices group composed of ambassadors of the three sides should start its work in the field at the second half of March and to report to the forthcoming fifth round of trilateral ministerial meeting. The presidents confirmed the determination and political will of their respective countries to strengthen bilateral and trilateral cooperation together with Bosnia and Herzegovina in all possible fields and undertake joint initiatives to develop concrete projects for the reconstruction and infra-structural, economic and social recovery of Bosnia-Herzegovina. President Tudjman expressed Croatia's highest appreciation for the positive contribution of Turkey and President Demirel personally, to the efforts to bring peace and stability in the region. The two presidents expressed their utmost satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations between Croatia and Turkey in political, economic and various other fields. President Demirel invited President Tudjman to pay an official visit to Turkey. The invitation was accepted by President Tudjman and the date of the visit will be determined through diplomatic channels. (Hina) jn rv 281224 MET feb 95