Guesting in a POP-TV show, Rupel said Slovenia would not object to the launching of Croatia's EU entry talks because for Croatia that would mean starting talks about issues with European countries, Slovenia included.
Rupel said that contrary to the picture in the media, Croatia-Slovenia relations were not that bad. He added the USD1.5 billion trade was very important for the Slovene economy. "Our people spend summer holidays on the Adriatic en masse. People from both sides of the border understand each other well, unless they are politicians."
Asked why Slovenia continued to support Croatia's EU integration when Croatia, as the anchor said, unanimously proclaimed a fisheries protection zone in the Adriatic and did not ratify the Drnovsek-Racan border agreement, Rupel said the start of Croatia's EU entry talks would mean starting to adapt to European standards as well as renouncing the "lack of credibility" shown when the border deal was rejected.
"The situation would be the same, if not worse, if we didn't support Croatia. Slovenia is currently in a very strong position. We are a member of the EU and NATO, and chair the OSCE. Our position is so strong that we don't have to get upset about every detail," Rupel said.
He added he was aware Croatia had a credibility problem, which he said worried him, notably with regard to the proposal that the sea border issue be decided by arbitration.
Rupel said, however, that blocking a state ahead of its admission to the EU would affect some vital Slovene interests. "Once Croatia enters these European frameworks it will have to honour European standards and rules of conduct."
He also spoke of Slovenia's as yet informal proposal to form a Slovene-Croatian commission of historians who would discuss the two peoples' coexistence in the past, including an alleged agreement between former Communist power-wielders Edvard Kardelj and Vladimir Bakaric about the border demarcation on the Istrian peninsula which some Slovene parties and movements maintain is "unfair".
Rupel said no document had yet been produced, but dismissed claims that the commission proposal was an attempt to buy time, i.e. postpone the settlement of contentious issues.
He said the establishment of such commissions with Italy and Austria in the past had improved bilateral relations.