CROATIAN, SLOVENE UNIONS CALL FOR DIALOGUE

KOPAR/PULA, Sept 2 (Hina) - The Confederation of Slovene Unions -- which also includes the Coastal Union Organisation -- and the Union of Istria and Kvarner, held a meeting in Kopar on Monday, after which they forwarded a joint letter to the Croatian and Slovene governments requesting that all open issues between the two countries be solved with patience and through agreements, respecting the needs and interests of residents of the border area. #L# "Relations between the two countries are growing in tension daily and are having increasingly negative consequences to good neighbourly relations. This is jeopardising the economic and social status of the residents, as well as the development of the region," the statement issued after the meeting said. The Confederation of Slovene Unions and the Istria and Kvarner Union decisively dismiss and condemn individual and group acts which disrupt the good neighbourly relations of various nations and cultures in Istria, the statement adds. They said that both governments were expected to exert efforts to stop all actions hindering a constructive solution to open issues so the citizens would be able to organise their coexistence and participation in a joint economic development. They called on the Croatian and Slovene governments to solve all open issues through open dialogue and as soon as possible solve all problems hindering successful cooperation and good neighbourly relations. (hina) lml sb