LJUBLJANA, Aug 21 (Hina) - The Slovene Foreign Ministry on Thursday replied to a note from Croatia offering dialogue on issues regarding an economic zone in the Adriatic, and suggested that the matter be discussed at a meeting of the
heads of the two foreign ministries' legal services in Ljubljana on September 16.
LJUBLJANA, Aug 21 (Hina) - The Slovene Foreign Ministry on Thursday
replied to a note from Croatia offering dialogue on issues
regarding an economic zone in the Adriatic, and suggested that the
matter be discussed at a meeting of the heads of the two foreign
ministries' legal services in Ljubljana on September 16. #L#
In a public statement on the note which was forwarded to the
Croatian Embassy in Ljubljana, Slovene officials reiterate earlier
stands saying that "under international law, when declaring an
exclusive economic zone, states must respect equal sovereign
rights of neighbouring countries" and "must not encroach on
maritime areas under their sovereignty and jurisdiction".
It is also stated in the note that Slovenia did not hold any formal
consultations with Croatia on the issue and that it was not given an
explanation regarding Croatia's plans to declare an economic zone
despite repeated requests to that effect.
It is reiterated that "Slovenia has a traditional and legally
protected interest in the Adriatic" and that "it must be included on
an equal basis in all activities regarding the Adriatic Sea".
Slovene officials also recall an agreement on the sea border
between Croatia and Slovenia, initialled by Premiers Ivica Racan
and Janez Drnovsek, noting that the agreement needs to be "finally
implemented before the declaration of any zone (economic, fishing,
ecological and other)" as it "was initialled, confirmed and
presented to the public by both governments".
(hina) rml