SLOVENE PRESIDENT AGAINST WORSENING OF TIES BY COUNTER-MOVES

LJUBLJANA, Oct 7 (Hina) - Slovene President Janez Drnovsek has said he is against moves which may worsen relations with Croatia, such as Ljubljana's plan to declare an epicontinetal and economic zone in the Adriatic, which has been advocated by some local politicians recently. #L# Drnovsek was quoted by Slovene Radio as saying on Tuesday that he believes that Croatia's proclamation of a fishing and ecological zone is a move motivated by the coming elections. He added this move was made to satisfy the Croatian public and media which he said were more susceptible to "emotions and passions" than those in his country. "We do not recognise Croatia's unilateral decision, and maintain that it is necessary to reach agreement on the protection of the Adriatic. Italy and the European Union have sided with us. Croatia is aware of it, and will be more aware after the elections. I don't think that it would be wise or necessary to react with countermoves," the Slovene president added. "We have acquired a great reputation in Europe over the past ten years and we are practically a European Union member, and the mounting of tensions would only lead to a spiral which caused wars and violence in Europe and the Balkans in the past century. We abide by the principles of a new Europe without unilateral decisions," Drnovsek said. (hina) ms sb