SLOVENE PRESIDENT ADVOCATES CONTINUED DIALOGUE WITH CROATIA

LJUBLJANA, June 21 (Hina) - Slovene President Milan Kucan said at a Friday press conference, dedicated to Slovene Statehood Day and the 11th anniversary of its independence, that the country's relations with neighbouring countries were good, but that open issues which had been increasingly burdening relations with Croatia needed solutions, requiring continued dialogue. #L# The Slovene president said that the two countries should resume their political dialogue, from the point where the solution of open issues had come to a halt. Unresolved problems create new problems and lack of trust and reduce the two countries' credibility in the international community, said Kucan. He said that his country had been developing successfully over the past 11 years, and that it would soon enter the European Union and NATO, which he said was the best security option, although others had been considered as well. Speaking about the situation in the region and relations with other former Yugoslav states, Kucan said that the whole of Europe should take over responsibility for the political and security future of South-East Europe. "Slovenia still accepts its share of responsibility for good relations among former Yugoslav states as well as responsibility for regulating the situation in Southeast Europe, but our responsibility cannot replace the responsibility of other countries and the international community," said Kucan. The Slovene president said he did not expect any political instability with regard to his departure from the post of head of state after this year's autumn elections, as well as that Slovenes should be more self-confident with regard to the successes achieved since the country gained independence. (hina) rml sb