LJUBLJANA, Sept 1 (Hina) - The head of government of the Italian province of Friuli-Giulia and former mayor of Trieste, Riccardo Illy, has said ahead of his visit to Slovenia that he opposes the proclamation of an expanded economic
zone in the Adriatic, even if Italy and Croatia should reach an agreement on the matter.
LJUBLJANA, Sept 1 (Hina) - The head of government of the Italian
province of Friuli-Giulia and former mayor of Trieste, Riccardo
Illy, has said ahead of his visit to Slovenia that he opposes the
proclamation of an expanded economic zone in the Adriatic, even if
Italy and Croatia should reach an agreement on the matter. #L#
"I do not agree with the expansion of territorial waters in the
Adriatic, because it is a small and closed-off sea," Illy said in an
interview with the Slovene "Delo" daily published on Monday.
Illy believes that the belt of international waters should be kept
in the Adriatic and the sea be open for free navigation for all
ships, as well as that an expanded economic zone could be proclaimed
only in line with European Union decisions and the consent of all
Adriatic countries, something he doubts will happen.
Illy said in the interview that reports that the Italian government
agreed with Croatia's plans to declare an economic zone were false
and, by all accounts, a misunderstanding.
(hina) rml