Translation: Joseph Stedul TRANSLATION Joseph Stedul
AUTHOR javno112


NEGOTIATIONS WITH EU

DECEMBER 15 2008 21:51h

Slovenia Holds Stance, Croatian PM Calls Slovenia

Text

I expect the Slovenians as friends to support Croatia, and do everything so that Croatia finishes as soon as possible, said PM Sander.

On Monday in New York, the Croatian premier Ivo Sanader talked via telephone to the Slovenian premier Borut Pahor about the current situation regarding the process of negotiations of Croatia in accession to the European Union, reported the Croatian Cabinet.

In the conversation, Sanader once again stressed that Croatia does not define a solution to its border issue with Slovenia in any documents in the negotiations process.

The two premiers, as was reported, agreed that Croatian and Slovenian diplomats will continue to synchronize their stances concerning the issue. The efforts of the French presidency of the European Union in finding a solution are especially welcome.

“I expect the Slovenians as friends of Croatia to support Croatia, and do everything so that Croatia finishes as soon as possible, it will be better for Slovenia” said Sander in to the press in New York.

Talks about a compromise between the Slovenian and French text of the statement, that would allow Croatia on Friday to open ten negotiations chapters are continuing. On Monday the Slovenian media report that the main problem is if the statement will have a bilateral Croatian-Slovenian frame, or if it will be “in the European context”.

The president of the foreign politics board of the Slovenian parliament, Ivo Vajgl, said that there is no need for hurry.

“If we do not synchronize by Friday, we will continue synchronizing. Friday is not the day when Croatia enters the EU. If we do not synchronize, that process will last somewhat longer” said Vajgl for the Slovenian STA agency.