MINISTER GRANIC RECEIVES MEDIATOR SCHWARTZ-SCHILLING

ZAGREB, Jan 3 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Wednesday received the international mediator for the Bosnian Federation, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Following is the full text of the statement: "During a protracted meeting, Minister Granic acquainted Mr. Schwartz-Schilling with the efforts to strengthen the Bosnian Federation after the signing of the peace agreement. Discussed was the impending first session of the Joint Council for the Cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic/Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina at the highest level. Voicing satisfaction that the Council was beginning its work, mediator Schwartz-Schilling informed Minister Granic of his experiences in Tuzla and in central Bosnia. He particularly stressed the need to establish civilian traffic between Bosanska Posavina (the Sava River valley in northern Bosnia) and Tuzla, and to provide for the return of refugees to Bugojno, Jajce and other towns, in accordance with the Dayton Agreement. Minister Granic informed mediator Schwartz-Schilling of the agenda for the first meeting of the Council for the Cooperation between teh Republic of Croatia and the Federation/Republic of BOsnia-Herzegovina. This session would mark the beginningof an important process of harmonising strategic political and economic interests, through the establishment of a Federal Government, the strengthening of cooperation between the Federation and Croatia, the setting up of canton and municipal authorities and the resolution of humanitarian issues. The meeting also focused on the successful initiative for the return of Velika Kladusa refugees, noting the fact that over the half of the inhabitants of the Kupljensko camp had returned to the Velika Kladusa area thanks to concerted efforts of Croatian, Bosnian and Turkish police forces." (hina) as 031107 MET jan 96