LJUBLJANA, Nov 28 (Hina) - Slovene Premier Janez Drnovsek refuted +opinions that, in view of defining disputed points along its border +with Croatia, Slovenia was in a subordinate position due to the need +to access the European Union
as soon as possible.+ Regulated borders were in every country's interest as they lead to +greater security, Drnovsek told Saturday's issue of Ljubljana +daily "Dnevnik", pointing out Slovenia and Croatia gave equal +priority to the question.+ "In that regard there is no pressure on the EU's part, since the +European Commission assessed in its report that we (Croatia and +Slovenia) tried to settle these issues in a sufficiently +constructive way," he stated.+ The major border issue between the two countries remains a sea +border in Piran Bay, in the northern Adriatic. Views on the issue +are still extremely distant.+ Drnovsek said relati
LJUBLJANA, Nov 28 (Hina) - Slovene Premier Janez Drnovsek refuted
opinions that, in view of defining disputed points along its border
with Croatia, Slovenia was in a subordinate position due to the need
to access the European Union as soon as possible.
Regulated borders were in every country's interest as they lead to
greater security, Drnovsek told Saturday's issue of Ljubljana
daily "Dnevnik", pointing out Slovenia and Croatia gave equal
priority to the question.
"In that regard there is no pressure on the EU's part, since the
European Commission assessed in its report that we (Croatia and
Slovenia) tried to settle these issues in a sufficiently
constructive way," he stated.
The major border issue between the two countries remains a sea
border in Piran Bay, in the northern Adriatic. Views on the issue
are still extremely distant.
Drnovsek said relations with Croatia and the settlement of
bilateral issues received a fresh boost following his informal
meeting with the Croatian Premier two weeks ago, and a meeting with
the Croatian President last weekend, during a summit of Central
European Initiative countries in Zagreb.
"We realistically assessed that issues related to (Slovene)
Ljubljanska Bank's branch in Zagreb (which owes Croatian
depositors DEM 600 million) cannot be resolved through mutual
dialogue, given that financially and legally, the problem is very
complex.
"We therefore concluded that the best solution is to invite the most
renowned financial institution, the International Monetary Fund,
to offer its judgement," said Drnovsek.
The problem regarding the Krsko nuclear power plant could be
resolved through bilateral talks, he said.
Built by joint Croatian-Slovene funds at the time of the former
Yugoslavia, the Krsko plant, located on Slovene territory, has been
the cause of disagreement between Croatia and Slovenia with regard
to plant management and establishing the price of electric power,
and the fact whether Croatia co-owns or invests into the plant.
In July this year, the Slovene power supply company switched off
transmission lines from Krsko to Croatia with the explanation that
Croatia was indebted to the plant. The same day, the Slovene
government issued a decree proclaiming Krsko a public company.
The Croatian and Slovene Ministers of Economy yesterday agreed that
the disputed issues with regard to Krsko be resolved on a co-
ownership basis which includes parity management, decision-
making, and storage of nuclear waste.
With regard to a property agreement between Croatia and Slovenia,
Drnovsek said it would be signed following an agreement on
arbitration concerning Ljubljanska Bank.
(hina) ha