Puhalac.
Cobankovic said after the talks it had been agreed that by the end of this month inspection teams from both countries should jointly inspect facilities and meat-processing factories in Bosnia.
Veterinary minutes will help establish which Bosnian companies meet requirements for export to Croatia, Cobankovic said, adding that he would then authorise those companies to access the Croatian market.
He explained that Croatia had to act this way as it was in the process of joining the European Union and exported to the EU market.
Croatia does not intend to create any administrative barriers to the flow of goods from Bosnia to Croatia, but only wants to honour its commitments, international standards and what will not harm Croatia in the integration process, said Cobankovic.
He underlined that Croatia expected to be enabled to export pork into Bosnia again after he informed his hosts about what Croatia had done to fight swine plague.
Cobankovic went on to say that Croatia was ready to help the strengthening of the economy and agriculture in Bosnia by sharing its own experience from the EU integration process. He underlined the importance of food protection and safety.
The minister recalled that Croatia and Bosnia jointly entered the Central European Free Trade Agreement, which he said would advance bilateral trade and reduce Bosnia's negative export balance with Croatia.
Bosnian officials have been pointing out with increasing frequency that Croatian agricultural exports to Bosnia are several times higher than Bosnia's to Croatia. Some Bosnian officials and farmers publicly advocate that Bosnia should cancel its CEFTA membership, saying it would be unfavourable for national agriculture.
Cobankovic objected to such views, saying non-accession to CEFTA would be disastrous for Bosnia's agriculture. Minister Puhalac too voiced his opposition, saying that more than 50% of Bosnia's population lives off farming and that the country needs international assistance to develop its farm sector.