LJUBLJANA, Dec 9 (Hina) - A delegation of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), including SDP President Ivica Racan, vice-president Zdravko Tomac, and secretary Tonino Picula, on Thursday paid a visit to Ljubljana at the invitation of
the Joint List of Social Democrats (ZLSD) party. The SDP delegation also met Slovene President Milan Kucan. The ZLSD delegation included the party president Borut Pahor, and members Ciril Ribicic and Janez Kocijancic. Speaking at a news conference after the talks, Pahor expressed his party's support for the pre-election coalition between the SDP and the Croatian Social-Liberal Party (HSLS), adding their victory would give impetus to stability not only in Croatia but in the region as well. SDP's victory would be a good foundation for progress in the Slovene-Croatian relations, especially as regards economy, he said. Racan said the meeting with President Kucan was very g
LJUBLJANA, Dec 9 (Hina) - A delegation of the Social Democratic
Party (SDP), including SDP President Ivica Racan, vice-president
Zdravko Tomac, and secretary Tonino Picula, on Thursday paid a
visit to Ljubljana at the invitation of the Joint List of Social
Democrats (ZLSD) party.
The SDP delegation also met Slovene President Milan Kucan.
The ZLSD delegation included the party president Borut Pahor, and
members Ciril Ribicic and Janez Kocijancic.
Speaking at a news conference after the talks, Pahor expressed his
party's support for the pre-election coalition between the SDP and
the Croatian Social-Liberal Party (HSLS), adding their victory
would give impetus to stability not only in Croatia but in the
region as well. SDP's victory would be a good foundation for
progress in the Slovene-Croatian relations, especially as regards
economy, he said.
Racan said the meeting with President Kucan was very good.
Both the SDP and the ZLSD are aware of their potential but also of
their responsibility as regards cooperation between the two
countries. "The SDP is aware of its responsibility to protect
Croatian national interests by cooperating with Europe and
neighbouring states, the most important one being Slovenia".
Asked about the situation in Croatia, Racan said in case the SDP-
HSLS coalition won the elections, the coalition government with the
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) would be out of the question.
"There is no coalition with the HDZ, it is not possible. We are the
alternative to HDZ's policy", Racan said, adding, however, in case
the Opposition won the elections, there was a possibility of
cooperation with the HDZ in resolving issues which require a
consensus. One of those issues is changes to the Constitution,
which would "radically reduce the powers of the President of the
State", Racan said.
"Having the HDZ as an opposition party is good for Croatia's
democracy, and also for the HDZ itself, so that the party could
develop its identity and stop identifying itself with the state",
Racan said. The most difficult issues between Croatia and Slovenia
- such as the issue of Piran Bay - can be solved, Racan added.
The SDP president expressed hope that Slovenia would ratify
agreements on local border traffic and property-rights relations.
According to Racan, both Croatian and Slovene Social Democrats are
aware of the great cooperation potential within the Stability Pact
for South-East Europe, which, along with protecting national
interests, also enabled a wider economic cooperation.
The Pact is a proof that Europe has become more aware of the fact
that solving problems in the region is not only the business of
local authorities but that it is a European issue. "Croatia needs to
strengthen the awareness that it is in national interest to
cooperate with neighbouring countries", Racan said.
(hina) rml