RIJEKA, Sept 2 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Tuesday he wanted to believe that Slovene citizens and government were not backing Slovene Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel's statements on Croatia's intention to
proclaim an economic zone in the Adriatic, and added "political sabre-rattling" was utterly inappropriate.
RIJEKA, Sept 2 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on
Tuesday he wanted to believe that Slovene citizens and government
were not backing Slovene Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel's
statements on Croatia's intention to proclaim an economic zone in
the Adriatic, and added "political sabre-rattling" was utterly
inappropriate. #L#
Rupel said on Sunday that due to dissonance regarding the economic
zone, Slovenia would have to review its policy of support to
Croatia's efforts to join the EU and NATO. Meanwhile, the Slovene
government recalled its ambassador to Croatia for consultations in
Ljubljana.
Racan said he expected many of Croatia's friends to support its
entry into the EU and NATO, and added that the soured relations with
Slovenia were unnecessary.
"Croatia wishes to protect its fishing and economic interests in
the Adriatic, and whether we do so by proclaiming an economic belt
is contingent on talks with the EU and neighbouring countries," the
PM said. He stressed that the conduct of some Slovene officials who
made hasty statements was an unpleasant surprise and that he wished
this was a temporary episode in the two countries' relations.
(hina) lml sb