CROATIAN AND TURKISH DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN ZAGREB

( Editorial: --> 7825 ) ZAGREB, Jan 28 (Hina) - Croatia and Turkey intent to further develop their friendly relations by strengthening their economic cooperation, Croatian and Turkish foreign ministers, Ivo Sanader and Korkmaz Haktanir, respectively, said in Zagreb on Wednesday. Sanader and Haktanir held talks as part of regular consultations between the two ministries. Sanader told reporters that the two countries were working on an agreement on free trade which should allow trade to increase. He stressed that Turkey would support Croatia in full on its way to the NATO. An important part of talks between the two officials focused on the peace process in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Sanader said that he expected an agreement on an interstate council between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina to be initialled soon, adding that Croatia still expected an answer from Sarajevo about its suggestion on special relations between Croatia and the Bosnian Federation. Turkey was interested in peace and stability in the southeast of Europe and supported all initiatives to that purpose, Haktanir said. He stressed the importance of maintaining a multi-ethnic Bosnia- Herzegovina as an independent country within its borders. Sanader also said that preparations were in progress for the visit of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa and Foreign Minister Mate Granic to Turkey. (hina) lm jn 281604 MET jan 98