SABOR DISCUSSES BILATERAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

ZAGREB, Oct 12 (Hina) - Croatia's parliament on Friday morning considered international and bilateral agreements which it should ratify. The documents refer to an agreement on free trade with EFTA (European Free Trade Agreement) member countries, the status of the American international school in Zagreb and amendments to the Montreal Protocol on substances affecting the ozone shield. All the parliamentary benches supported the ratification of the free trade agreement with the EFTA members, which would facilitate an increase in Croatia's export. MPs wrapped up a debate on the agreement on the status of the U.S. international school in Zagreb, envisaging the diplomatic status to this schools which has been active in the Croatian capital since 1996. Under the agreement, special tax and duty benefits will be given to it, and Croatian nationals will be able to attend classes at this school. The bench of the strongest opposition party HDZ opposed the ratification of this document, claiming that the school would be given excessive benefits. "If Croatia ratify such agreement, the question poses itself whether we shall do the same if some other countries, for instance Yugoslavia, open their international schools in Zagreb?," wondered Vladimir Seks, the head of the HDZ bench. The agreement was backed by the benches of the five parties that make up the incumbent ruling coalition. They explained that this was a standard procedure, conducted in over a hundred countries. Ruling MPs believe the school opens up possibilities for the enhancement of the cooperation with the United States in education. (hina) sb ms