Italy Not A Mediator In Deblocking Negotiations

Sanader invited Pahor to bring any sort of documents to the arbitrage process in the dispute with Croatia.

Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader dismissed speculation on Monday that Italy is offered as a mediator in the attempt to deblock Croatia`s European Union accession negotiations, which were blocked by Slovenia.

- The Italian foreign affairs minister again said very clearly that he supports the practice so far, and this is for current EU presiding figures to be running the initiative – Croatia`s Sanader told reporters after a meeting anent the first anniversary of the coalition government`s work.

- I remind that the French presidency headed the negotiations between Croatia and Slovenia over the formulation of the joint statement, in November and December, which is the end was not adopted, for known reasons – Sanader said.

He added that the Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Franco Frattini, who is staying in Croatia on Monday, supports the Czech Republic leading the initiative, which is currently presiding the European Union.

Sanader invited Pahor for arbitrage

He pointed out it was important for Croatia that Italy requests Croatia is not interrupted in its negotiations.

- Italy wants Croatia not to be slowed down in negotiations and this was very important for us to hear from the first man of Italian diplomacy and the country which is one of the EU founding members – he pointed out.

Sanader also dismissed claims that Italy suggested Croatia “to compromise”, reiterating there is no compromise when it comes to the Slovenian request for Croatia not to use certain documents during international arbitrage.

- There is no compromise over the fact that one country bans other from introducing documents. This cannot happen – Sanader said, again inviting Slovene PM Borut Pahor to use all the documents he thinks can benefit Slovenia during the arbitrage process.

- Croatia will do the same, but it is inacceptable to say to one another: `You won`t bring those documents`- Above all, this points to the weakness of the one demanding it. This means they hold the weaker position – Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader added.

He reminded that the border dispute was also open at the moment when Slovenia was accessing the EU.

- Nobody thought of telling Slovenia: `You can`t access because you haven`t solved the issue with Croatia` - Sanader continued.

- At one point it may happen, and most probably will happen, that we will close perhaps 15 chapters at an international conference – Sanader said, adding that Croatia will in the meantime take diplomatic steps to deblock negotiations.