ZAGREB, Sept 10 (Hina) - Croatian and Slovene Prime Ministers Ivica Racan and Janez Drnovsek agreed on a "temporary sea regime" in Zagreb on Tuesday. The regime does not prejudge the future border between the two countries on the sea,
and will be valid for three months, with the possibility of extension.
ZAGREB, Sept 10 (Hina) - Croatian and Slovene Prime Ministers Ivica
Racan and Janez Drnovsek agreed on a "temporary sea regime" in
Zagreb on Tuesday. The regime does not prejudge the future border
between the two countries on the sea, and will be valid for three
months, with the possibility of extension. #L#
"Today we have agreed on certain principles as to a temporary sea
regime in the realisation of the Agreement on Local Border Traffic
and Cooperation," Racan told reporters after a two-hour talk with
his Slovene counterpart.
The talks were first held by the two prime ministers alone. They
were later joined by Croatian and Slovene delegations.
Racan said that either of the two sides could cancel the agreement
by diplomatic route.
He reiterated that Croatia stood firmly by the principle that a
final solution to the Croatia-Slovenia border issue should be
reached through arbitration.
"We are aware that the process is not simple and that it implies that
the two countries should reach an agreement," said Racan.
Drnovsek said Slovenia was still willing to reach a bilateral
agreement. If that is not possible, "Slovenia cannot unilaterally
insist on a bilateral solution," he said. In that case, the two
sides should reach an agreement on solutions at their disposal,
which might include arbitration, he added.
In July 2001, Croatian and Slovene border commissions initialled a
border agreement which had previously been adopted by the two
countries' governments. The agreement met with opposing public
opinion. Whereas Slovenia hailed it as a diplomatic success, the
Croatian public rejected it.
Explaining the temporary regime agreed on today, Racan said that it
regulates free fishing for all fishermen with a special permit, in
line with the local border cooperation agreement between the two
countries. A standing Croatian-Slovene commission will draw up a
code of conduct for fishermen in the border area of Piran Bay, also
in line with said agreement. A joint supervision service also has to
be established.
Under today's agreement, fishing may be prohibited for ecological
or other reasons, which will be decided by the standing commission,
said Racan.
"Both governments wish to continue inciting fishermen on both sides
to continue cooperating and reaching agreements in view of averting
conflicts and ensuring peaceful fishing," said Racan. He added that
both governments were willing to compensate fishermen on losses
sustained because of their agreements.
Drnovsek reiterated that the main goal of today's meeting had been
to agree on a framework to defuse the situation. Zagreb and
Ljubljana will agree on a final solution in the future, he said.
Other contentious Croatia-Slovenia issues, such as joint ownership
in the Krsko nuclear power plant, Ljubljanska Bank's debt to
Croatian depositors, and traffic connections, were mentioned today
as well.
"I hope that by lifting the burden off border relations we shall put
(the other issues) on the agenda as well," said Racan.
Later today, Drnovsek will be received by Croatian President
Stjepan Mesic and parliament president Zlatko Tomcic.
(hina) ha