OSIJEK, Aug 30 (Hina) - Croatian parliamentary vice-president and vice-president of the Social democratic Party (SDP) Mato Arlovic said in Osijek on Friday night that "a good foundation for both countries to sit at a table and talk,
not wage war," was necessary for solving open issues between Croatia and Slovenia.
OSIJEK, Aug 30 (Hina) - Croatian parliamentary vice-president and
vice-president of the Social democratic Party (SDP) Mato Arlovic
said in Osijek on Friday night that "a good foundation for both
countries to sit at a table and talk, not wage war," was necessary
for solving open issues between Croatia and Slovenia. #L#
Speaking at a forum in Osijek, Arlovic commented on today's
statement from the president of the Buje region fishermen's
association president, Daniel Kolec, that he saw a solution to the
Croatian-Slovene disputes either in international arbitration or
war.
"It is a good thing that prime ministers Racan and Drnovsek agreed
to continue talking, which puts a stop to war cries," Arlovic said,
adding that some people in politics had contributed to the creation
of tensions regarding the Piran Bay with their statements.
The incumbent government is being falsely accused for the
consequences of the Agreement on Cross-Border Traffic signed with
Slovenia by a former foreign affairs minister from the ranks of the
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Mate Granic.
Arlovic dismissed criticism that the current Croatian authorities
were selling Croatia off, stating that since the incumbent
government came into power, only the remaining 16 percent of the
Croatian Telecom were sold, and negotiations on the privatisation
of the "Croatia osiguranje" insurance company, INA oil company and
HEP electric supply company were ongoing, but nothing was sold as
yet.
Speaking about Croatia's economic revival, Arlovic said that in
2000 and 2001, positive growth rates had been achieved, but the year
2004 would be the most difficult because about 3.5 billion US
dollars of loans would have to be paid back.
(hina) lml