CRO & SLOVENIA NOT CLOSE TO LAND BORDER AGREEMENT - SAYS OFFICIAL

ZAGREB, Nov 27 (Hina) - Croatia and Slovenia have still not got close to reaching an agreement on land borders, having still not resolved several open issues, Croatian Office for Borders head Hrvoje Kacic told Hina on Friday. Just a few days ago, Croatian and Slovene diplomatic sources made optimistic statements that the two countries were close to a solution with regard to state borders, and that groundwork for an agreement on the matter would be tackled in Zagreb next week. "We are not close to that agreement," said Kacic. "There are still several open issues," he added, but did not wish to elaborate. According to diplomatic sources, one of the issues is the border on Sveta Gora, a summit on which a Slovene barracks is located. "The problem is not on our side," Kacic said. He confirmed that Croatian and Slovene representatives would meet next week to discuss borders, but added it was still unknown where the meeting would be held. The major border issue between Slovenia and Croatia remains a sea border in Piran Bay, in the northern Adriatic Sea. Views on this issue are still extremely distant. The two sides are considering reaching a temporary solution to avoid possible incidents. Talks on a lasting solution would ensue. (hina) ha