Slovenes Have No Idea Who Is Leading Them - Current Events - Croatia

Politologist Rimac believes the Croatian president made a stand in the perfect time.

As he addressed the Croatian nation on Thursday, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic looked back on the relations between Croatia and Slovenia in the light of recently raised issue of ratifying Croatia`s NATO accession agreement, which started a referendum procedure in Slovenia.

Slovene Political Elite Is Blackmailing Croatia

The Slovene Parliament adopted the Conclusion on the protection of Slovenia`s interests in

I think the statement came in the perfect time. President Mesic assures the Croatian side with his position not to make the same mistake as Slovenia. We need to clearly state which our positions are and not allow Slovene aspirations to become increased

Ivan Rimac

negotiations with Croatia, although many Slovenians cannot see why the conclusion is necessary, to prevent attempts of Slovene nationalists of starting a referendum, which they committed themselves to.

Still, the referendum issue was started by a non-Parliamentary party, the SSN, despite agreement, which encountered severe criticism of the Slovene government and the Parliament.

Croatian President Stjepan Mesic pointed out that Slovenia was not acting in European spirit and that any sort of a bloc of NATO and EU entry amounted to diplomatic blackmail of the Slovene political elite.

We asked politologist Ivan Rimac whether the position of President Mesic favoured Croatia.

- I think the statement came in the perfect time. President Mesic assures the Croatian side with his position not to make the same mistake as Slovenia. We need to clearly state which our positions are and not allow Slovene aspirations to become increased – Rimac claims.

Ivan Rimac also believes that Slovenes are disclaiming themselves in their statements.

- Slovenes change positions in their statements and increase their aspirations. Thus, they show that they are not credible, that they are not good negotiators and have no idea who is leading them – Rimac criticised.

The politologist pointed out he believes that Croatian politicians have taken a good stand and adopted a good strategy in relations with Slovenians, and as far as the negative public opinion goes which Croat President Mesic stimulates in Slovenia, Rimac commented:

-Slovenes should think about how much they are turning on Croats because of fabrications certain politicians stated, and then should see the position of Croatian politicians – Ivan Rimac concluded.

Croatia And Slovenia - Development Of Events