PM: Dispute with Slovenia Will Have to Go to Court

ZAGREB, CROATIA – Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader relayed to Austria’s Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann Croatia’s stance that it is best to solve the border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. 

- Croatia insists on the principle that bilateral issues cannot and should not be introduced in European negotiations – Sanader told reporters in Vienna after a meeting with the Chancellor.

Sanader and Faymann spoke about bilateral relations, ways both countries are fighting the economic crisis and Croatia’s accession in the EU.

Gratitude for support 

Austria has always supported Croatia in its path towards the EU, Faymann said.

Sanader thanked his host for Austria’s support to Croatia, stressing the ties between Croatia and Austria “in the past, the present and the future”.

The Croatian prime minister informed the chancellor about the state of Croatia’s negotiations with the EU and everything Croatia is doing in the context of Slovenia’s blockade of the negotiations.

There is no fairer approach than arguments 

Asked about the current phase of the dispute between Croatia and Slovenia, Sanader said consultations were underway between Brussels, Ljubljana and Zagreb and stressed that law is a good basis for solving border issues, since he believes political negotiations are not a good way of solving problems.

Faymann stressed that Austria was supporting Croatia as much as it can, but he recalled that the said issues were easier to be solved away from public eyes.

- There is no fairer approach than arguments – Sanader said, adamant that the dispute between Croatia and Slovenia should be solved before the ICJ in The Hague.

All meetings are planned in advance 

- Croatia is prepared in advance, as should the Slovenian National Assembly should be, that our parliament makes a decision in advance to accept the verdict of the ICJ – Sanader said.