Pahor: Problems Not Solving, Time Is Running Out

I want a meeting with the Croatian PM as soon as possible to find a way to resolve the dispute, the Slovene Premier said.

ZAGREB, CROATIA – Slovenia’s Prime Minister Borut Pahor said on Wednesday that he would like to meet with his Croatian counterpart Ivo Sanader as soon as possible, but stressed that Slovenia cannot change its stance on the blockade of Croatia’s negotiations with the EU as long as Croatia’s access documents prejudge the border between the two countries.

- I wish for an urgent meeting with the Croatian Prime Minister so we can find a way to resolve the dispute, keeping in mind that Slovenia’s national interests must be protected, as well as Croatia’s interests to successfully complete the negotiations – Pahor told reporters at a news conference.

The Czech prime minister, whose country has taken the six-month chairmanship of the European Union, said on Prague on Wednesday that the Slovenian blockade of Croatia’s accession talks was a consequence of bilateral border issues between Croatia and Slovenia. He said that the only true problem is the border on the Adriatic and that both countries should put up the problem for arbitration.

Still no green light 

Pahor said that Even at the next accession conference organised by the Czech chair of the EU, Slovenia will not be able to give a green light to open blocked chapters unless conditions that caused the blockade in the first place change.

- There is still some little time left, but problems are not being resolved and time is running out. The Slovene government and me personally are prepared for talks with the Croatian side, but we have not received any response from the Croatian side regarding out initiative for the meeting – Pahor said.

The Slovenian prime minister said that he had explained to the Czech prime minister last month the situation regarding Croatia’s accession talks and Slovenia’s views regarding the issue.

- I told him what out reservations were about, adding that Slovenia will not  change its stance until the circumstances that caused it change – Pahor said.

The Slovenian foreign ministry on Wednesday sent a note to the Czech chairmanship of the EU, saying it expected an objective approach to discussions about the EU’s enlargement.

Also, Slovenia expects the Czech Republic to understand the reasons why Slovenia made the decision to hinder Croatia opening accession chapters because of Croatia’s alleged prejudging of border issues.