Slovene President: Need Time to Think for Future

After the Slovenian blockade of Croatian EU negotiations, the Slovenian president Danilo Turk said time is needed for smart actions.

The situation that occurred after Slovenia blocked most of Croatia’s negotiations chapters with the EU, should be used by the two countries to arrange new solutions, and the Slovenian diplomacy for explaining their stance to the Union, is the evaluation that president Danilo Turk gave to Slovenian television.

Turk mentioned relations with Croatia in an appropriate conversation for the first anniversary of his inauguration for that duty, and for the upcoming holidays.

“Now we need time to reflect, because in the moments when there is a misunderstanding, and that it what is it now, people often react emotionally and do not think enough. I think that both sides need a certain amount of time to think what to do next” said Turk, mentioning the situation that was caused after the blockade and first reactions. He added that it does not mean that the problem of solving the borders should be delayed, but that “time is needed for reflecting in order to come to smart stances”.

“It is necessary to think and ensure mutual respect, in order to avoid unilateral and unnecessary steps, and how to find the path forward” said Turk. He repeated that the Slovenian diplomacy now has a chance to explain the Slovenia position to the members of the European Union, who have not gotten involved into the Croatian – Slovenian border dispute.

Regret from European Commission

On Friday after the accession conference, the European Commission voiced regret for the Slovenian stance towards opening Croatian negotiating chapters. Commenting the stance of the European Commission, the Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Zbogar said that the EC does not work in the interests of certain member nations, but now is a chance for Slovenian diplomatic action.

As far as the issue of the border dispute with Croatia is concerned, it will be solved bilaterally or via arbitration, said Turk, and evaluated that an agreement has not yet been reached.

“There is no serious or final agreement about that. When I say that we need time to think about it, I think that we need time to rethink about all that was undertaken in that sense in the last year or two. When it is finished, then we will be able to talk about what next” said the Slovenian president.

In recent days, as the Slovenian media reported, Turk suggested that Slovenia and its cabinet should not rush too much to solve the border situation in this case.