Olli Rehn: Croatian EU Negotiations Threatened

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But every day increases the risk that the timetable will slip, but I hope an EU team of experts will solve the border dispute, Rehn said.

Commissioner of the European Commission for expansion Olli Rehn told the Financial Times that the border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia was threatening Croatia`s European Union accession negotiations. Slovenia has vetoed certain accession negotiations chapters over the border dispute which has not been solved for 18 years.

Commissioner Rehn pointed out that Croatia has primary tasks, which include intensifying fight against corruption and organised crime, implementing the reconstruction plan of shipyards to make it acceptable for Brussels, as well as solve the border issue with Slovenia.

Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader called Slovenia`s Prime Minister Borut Pahor on Wednesday. They discussed the current state of bilateral relations between Croatia and Slovenia and agreed to meet soon, which should take place in the next two to three weeks.

- If we can find a way forward on the border issue, and if Croatia works very intensively on these two areas of reform, then it's within reach - Rehn said, pointing out that the goal was to finalise negotiations by December 31, 2009.

Rehn concerned, but looking for a solution

However, he added that the risk of the timetable slipping away with each day. Rehn expressed hope that a team of European Union experts would manage to find a solution for the border dispute.

Certain Slovene and Croatian officials disagree with the option of solving the border issue at the International court of Justice, and Rehn has expressed concern over this outcome.

- For the moment, negative rhetoric is increasing in public debate in both countries. We're concerned about this, but nothing fatal has happened yet, so we have all the more reason to find a solution – commissioner Rehn concluded.