LJUBLJANA, Feb 9 (Hina) - Slovene President Janez Drnovsek has said this year will not see the resolution of open bilateral issues with Croatia.
LJUBLJANA, Feb 9 (Hina) - Slovene President Janez Drnovsek has said
this year will not see the resolution of open bilateral issues with
Croatia. #L#
"Things were very politicised over the past year, especially on the
Croatian side, whether with regard to the border, fishing, or
privatisation, and pre-election time by definition is not good for
the resolution of such issues," he told Slovene television in an
extensive interview on Sunday evening.
He doubts that some of the open issues will be resolved due to the
pre-election year in Croatia. In the meantime, it is necessary to
maintain the current level of relations and see that they do not
deteriorate, he said.
"In the meantime we shall enter the European Union and probably
NATO, which objectively will have to be interested in seeing that
those issues, especially the border issue, are taken off the
agenda," said Drnovsek.
He added this was also in Croatia's objective interest as it, too,
wanted to join said structures.
Drnovsek was also asked about the jointly-owned nuclear power plant
Krsko and the agreement the two neighbours signed on it but which
Slovenia's parliament still has not ratified.
He advocated ratification as a "precondition" for any other
solution as the agreement resolved the issue of past financial
liabilities. If it ratifies the deal, there is always a chance that
Slovenia will buy out Croatia's half in the plant, he said.
(hina) ha