I believe that my statement was misinterpreted, Fisher said in response to reporters' question after his talks with Croatian President Stjepan Mesic.
Fisher said he was speaking generally in an interview several days ago. He said that he told the reporter he was giving the interview to that Austria had good relations with both Slovenia and Croatia, but that it was out of the question that he would play the role of an arbitrator.
I said that Austria would most definitely support the solving of issues between Slovenia and Croatia, but the role of an arbitrator is out of the question," the Austrian President said.
Mesic said relations between Croatia and Slovenia were good and added that the two countries had good economic cooperation,.
"There are some problems and most of them are border-related, but all of those issues can be solved," the Croatian president said.
He said that the Badinter Commission had established that the land borders of former Yugoslav republics become state borders of the new countries and added that the largest part of that border with Slovenia was not in question.
The Slovene side voiced some doubts about a smaller share of that border, Mesic said and added that Croatia suggested that a commission comprised of experts from Croatia and Slovenia might identify every inch of the disputed area, based on which the two countries would try to reach an agreement. He said in case an agreement could not be reach, Croatia would seek a solution through arbitration and accept any solution.
"The Badinter Commission did not establish sea borders, it decided to leave to it Slovenia and Croatia to reach an agreement. Until an agreement is reach the two countries must respect the line going through the middle of the bay," Mesic said.
According to Mesic, Croatia is ready to sit at the table with Slovenia and reach an agreement and if that does not work Croatia then suggest arbitration. Mesic said Croatia would accept every solution from arbitration.
The Austrian President was asked to comment on rumors from Brussels that negotiations on Croatia's EU membership could be connected with negotiations on Turkey's membership.
"In politics, one must stick to the facts and the fact is that there is no foundation for bringing negotiations on Croatia's EU membership into any connection with those Turkey will conduct," Fisher said.
Croatia, said Mesic, received a clear sign to start negotiations in early 2005, event though the exact date has not yet been set.
I am confident that Croatia would have great support in the negotiating process because it is logical for Croatia to become part of Europe, Fisher said.
He said that it was Austria's standpoint that negotiations on Turkey's admission should be launched but that they must not be brought into any connection with Croatia's negotiations.