ZAGREB, April 1 (Hina) - Croatia's Agriculture Minister Petar Cobankovic has welcomed the decision of Bosnia-Herzegovina's Council of Ministers to begin implementing the entire free trade agreement with Croatia as of 1 April, adding
that Zagreb cannot exert influence on what is going on in Bosnia as a consequence of the enforcement of the agreement.
ZAGREB, April 1 (Hina) - Croatia's Agriculture Minister Petar
Cobankovic has welcomed the decision of Bosnia-Herzegovina's Council
of Ministers to begin implementing the entire free trade agreement
with Croatia as of 1 April, adding that Zagreb cannot exert influence
on what is going on in Bosnia as a consequence of the enforcement of
the agreement.#L#
Cobankovic referred to Thursday's blockade of several border crossings
staged by Bosnian farmers who protested against the agreement which
revokes tariffs on some agricultural products and goods imported from
Croatia. Bosnian farmers fear this will undermine their production.
Last December, after local farmers protested against the treaties, the
Bosnian ministerial council postponed the implementation of bilateral
agreements with Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro on free trade for three
months in order to try to adopt necessary measures to protect domestic
production.
On Wednesday the Bosnian government decided to begin implementing the
agreements as of 1 April.
"We shall continue with constructive cooperation with
Bosnia-Herzegovina in the fields of agriculture, veterinary services
and other issues which have remained unsolved," Minister Cobankovic
said on Thursday, adding that Croatia would like to be Bosnia's
partner, a very important country for Zagreb as regards the exchange
of goods.
As regards a Bosnian measure aimed at allowing the import of goods
which meet European Union standards, Cobankovic said that it was
temporary.
(Hina) ms