ZAGREB, Sept 4 (Hina) - Representatives of most parliamentary parties have assessed the ratified draft of a Croatian-Slovene agreement on demarcation in Piran Bay in the northern Adriatic as harmful to Croatian interests. The
opposition's Democratic Centre (DC) organised a round table on the Croatian-Slovene sea border, with attendance by representatives from the ruling coalition's Social Liberals (HSLS), the Liberal Party (LS), and the Croatian People's Party (HNS), the opposition's Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), and the Christian Democrats (HKDU). Also in attendance were international law experts and the presidential advisor on internal affairs, Igor Dekanic, who did not participate in the debate. The draft agreement was criticised by Mate Granic, Foreign Minister in the former HDZ-led government and current president of the DC, former d
ZAGREB, Sept 4 (Hina) - Representatives of most parliamentary
parties have assessed the ratified draft of a Croatian-Slovene
agreement on demarcation in Piran Bay in the northern Adriatic as
harmful to Croatian interests.
The opposition's Democratic Centre (DC) organised a round table on
the Croatian-Slovene sea border, with attendance by
representatives from the ruling coalition's Social Liberals
(HSLS), the Liberal Party (LS), and the Croatian People's Party
(HNS), the opposition's Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the
Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), the Croatian Party of Rights
(HSP), and the Christian Democrats (HKDU).
Also in attendance were international law experts and the
presidential advisor on internal affairs, Igor Dekanic, who did not
participate in the debate.
The draft agreement was criticised by Mate Granic, Foreign Minister
in the former HDZ-led government and current president of the DC,
former diplomat Davorin Rudolf, who used to chair the Croatian
commission on borders, and professor Vladimir Ibler, a member of a
team of experts for negotiations with Slovenia.
The agreement reduces Croatia's state territory and, contrary to
the Constitution, cedes part of Croatia's state territory to
Slovenia, it was said. Some added it would be better to settle the
matter through international arbitration.
It was suggested to "freeze" the current state of affairs for ten
years, and not sign the agreement, described as "harmful for
Croatia", but find a transitional solution. In the meantime,
Croatian experts should come up with an official position for
possible arbitration.
Representatives of the HDZ, HSP, and HKDU clearly said they would
not endorse the ratified draft of the agreement, wondering why
Prime Minister Ivica Racan's Cabinet was in such a hurry and what
was Croatia's interest in signing the agreement as soon as
possible.
Ivo Skrabalo of the HSLS said the matter required national
consensus and another debate on contentious issues.
Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee will debate the draft on
Friday, with an introductory speech by PM Racan.
(hina) ha sb