"I think we can certainly conclude this issue before Croatia becomes a full member," Drnovsek told Slovene Radio, adding that the draft border agreement negotiated in 2001 with Croatia's then Prime Minister Ivica Racan was a "good compromise".
Asked if Croatia might "catch up" with Bulgaria and Romania after being given today a date for the start of EU entry talks, Drnovsek said he did not expect that to happen.
"That would be very difficult. Croatia will start the negotiations next year, that's obvious now, but Bulgaria and Romania have already closed all negotiating chapters. It's difficult to imagine Croatia catching up with Bulgaria and Romania. Only if the European Union made a conscious decision to stop Bulgaria and Romania's accession process," Drnovsek said.