LJUBLJANA, March 20 (Hina) - All outstanding issues between Croatia and Slovenia can be successfully resolved by considering the interests of both countries, Croatian and Slovene presidents Stipe Mesic and Milan Kucan said on
Ljubljana Monday. The two presidents held a joint news conference after talks between the two countries' delegations. "During talks with President Kucan and Prime Minister Drnovsek we agreed that a little more will was necessary for the issues to be solved. We need to ask which Croatian and Slovene interests are present. When this is established we can start solving issues, not tying them like a tie-in sale, but with the wish for the interests of both sides to be met. If we do this, we will do a good job for both Slovenia and Croatia," Mesic said. Regarding the sea border at Piran Bay, Kucan and Mesic said Slovenia's interest was an outlet to international waters, while Croatia's was the
LJUBLJANA, March 20 (Hina) - All outstanding issues between Croatia
and Slovenia can be successfully resolved by considering the
interests of both countries, Croatian and Slovene presidents Stipe
Mesic and Milan Kucan said on Ljubljana Monday.
The two presidents held a joint news conference after talks between
the two countries' delegations.
"During talks with President Kucan and Prime Minister Drnovsek we
agreed that a little more will was necessary for the issues to be
solved. We need to ask which Croatian and Slovene interests are
present. When this is established we can start solving issues, not
tying them like a tie-in sale, but with the wish for the interests of
both sides to be met. If we do this, we will do a good job for both
Slovenia and Croatia," Mesic said.
Regarding the sea border at Piran Bay, Kucan and Mesic said
Slovenia's interest was an outlet to international waters, while
Croatia's was the sea border with Italy.
This issue "is solvable so both sides are satisfied. This is what I
can say at this moment," Mesic said.
Kucan and Mesic agreed that the border issue could be resolved
without international arbitration so both neighbouring countries
can show democratic maturity.
Kucan stressed the overall political structure in Slovenia must
exploit the good moment for solving bilateral relations with
Croatia.
The visit of Croatian President to Slovenia has traced a pathway to
solutions and has shown that the new Croatian policy was ranking
relations with the neighbouring Slovenia highly, Kucan said.
"The good will has been confirmed, the interest for cooperation has
been confirmed. A new approach is in effect -- not to create
problems -- but to solve them," Kucan said, adding now both
governments must switch words for actions.
Kucan warned "problems are not simple, some are very difficult".
According to him, the past period had shown that solutions for these
issues were visible.
Mesic was prepared a special luncheon on Monday and his first state
visit abroad will continue later in the day with talks with leaders
of political parties in Slovenia, signing the Ljubljana golden book
and final meeting with President Kucan to recapitulate the results
of Monday's talks between the two countries' delegations.
(hina) lml jn