PULA, Aug 13 (Hina) - Croatia's Foreign Minister said on Tuesday that his country would do its best to prevent the escalation of the international problem between Croatia and Slovenia following frequent incidents in the Bay of
Piran.
PULA, Aug 13 (Hina) - Croatia's Foreign Minister said on Tuesday
that his country would do its best to prevent the escalation of the
international problem between Croatia and Slovenia following
frequent incidents in the Bay of Piran. #L#
"I expect of Slovenia to do the same and not to promote this
contentious issue as its state policy. If we, however, fail to
agree, we shall have to resort to international arbitration,
respecting all the conditions which the arbitration will require,"
Minister Tonino Picula said after his meeting with leaders of
Croatian fishermen in Pula.
Picula reminded that Croatia's state and foreign policy had
successfully solved a potential burning issue with Bosnia-
Herzegovina relating to the border crossing between Hrvatska
Kostajnica and Bosanska Kostajnica. Therefore, it can be expected
that Zagreb will settle the matter also with Slovenia, which has not
so many problems like Bosnia.
In response to a reporter's statement that Croatia treated Italian
fishing boats differently, punishing them when they illegally
entered Croatian waters while Slovenes faced no sanctions,
Minister Picula said the dispute was not trilateral, and that all
efforts should be invested as to prevent it from becoming the
problem of three countries.
He, however, agreed that there was no need for discriminatory
treatment when adherence to law was in question.
Asked whether his ministry would exert influence on the Croatian
Interior Ministry regarding control over the Piran Bay, Picula said
such possibilities were envisaged in case of escalation, but was
confident that tensions would kept in check.
Minister Picula commended Croatian fishermen for their responsible
conduct despite the current problems, although they have cautioned
that they may not be able to control such a situation.
A representative of local fishermen, Danilo Latin, said he expected
that an upcoming Zagreb meeting would yield satisfactory results
for both countries, which would not endanger the national interests
of Croatia or its fishermen.
(hina) ms