LJUBLJANA, Jan 13 (Hina) - The adoption of a platform on Croatia's negotiating position in talks with Slovenia is the result of a necessary analysis of everything what was and what wasn't done in the bilateral relations in the last
ten years, and after that we can expect a new impetus for bilateral negotiations, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula was quoted by the Slovenian Television as saying. Thus we are going to strengthen our position prior to the resumption of serious talks with Slovenians on the rest of open issues, the Croatian minister said in his interview to the Slovenian television on Friday night. In Picula's opinion it will be easier to solve problems which primarily have trade or commercial profile, and their settlement will then create a favourable atmosphere for the resolution of remaining issues. He explained that he was in favour of that the negotiations should commence first a
LJUBLJANA, Jan 13 (Hina) - The adoption of a platform on Croatia's
negotiating position in talks with Slovenia is the result of a
necessary analysis of everything what was and what wasn't done in
the bilateral relations in the last ten years, and after that we can
expect a new impetus for bilateral negotiations, Croatian Foreign
Minister Tonino Picula was quoted by the Slovenian Television as
saying.
Thus we are going to strengthen our position prior to the resumption
of serious talks with Slovenians on the rest of open issues, the
Croatian minister said in his interview to the Slovenian television
on Friday night.
In Picula's opinion it will be easier to solve problems which
primarily have trade or commercial profile, and their settlement
will then create a favourable atmosphere for the resolution of
remaining issues.
He explained that he was in favour of that the negotiations should
commence first at an expert level and that problems should be
tackled on by one rather than in package as the latter case turned to
be not productive.
"We must not miss a valuable chance for launching negotiations
after the elections both in Croatia and Slovenia... I advocate that
no negotiating party should suffer owing to its own, perhaps to a
certain extent, burdened views on some issues. I shall personally
try to give contribution to more sensible and common-sense approach
to negotiations...," Picula said.
Asked whether the problem of demarcation of the border at sea marred
the relationship between Zagreb and Ljubljana, the minister
answered that he would like to see Slovenia and Croatia using the
sea in the same manner as well-organised countries do.
"If we cannot find a solution satisfactory to both parties in
concern, then we shall have to apply some other methods for the
settlement of this problem," he added.
Asked when he would meet his Slovenian counterpart Dimitrij Rupel,
Croatian foreign minister answered that the better preparations
were made for the meeting the sooner they would hold it.
(hina) ms