Croatian MEP, Tonino Picula (SDP), commented for N1 the talks on Wednesday involving Slovenia and Croatia at the European Commission in Brussels, after Slovenia had threatened it would launch a lawsuit against Croatia for refusing to comply with the border arbitration ruling on the long-standing dispute between the two neighbouring EU states.
Picula, who had served as Foreign Minister from 2000 to 2003 in the centre-left cabinet of Prime Minister Ivica Racan, said the European Commission was unlikely to take sides in the dispute and would press for the two countries to find a bilateral solution.
How do you view yesterday’s meeting?
It’s good that the meeting happened, it’s a method that is part of an ongoing effort to solve a dispute which started 25 years ago when Slovenian Parliament passed a memorandum on the indivisibility of Piran Bay. We all know about the attempts to solve the dispute in the past, so when we talk about yesterday’s meeting, I see it as just another episode in the search for a solution.
What kind of reaction from the European Commission do you expect?
The European Commission was reluctant to entered this procedure. They had suggested mediation, which was not accepted, they are in favour of a bilateral solution… I think they will avoid taking sides, and suggest this to be solved bilaterally.
VEZANE VIJESTI
What if they support Slovenia’s position anyway?
Slovenia will argue that they should, but I don’t think it will happen. And the timing of the meeting (set by the European Commission), around the same time when the EU budget for the period until 2021 is presented, clearly shows where the European Commission’s priorities are.
How will Slovenia’s upcoming election in June affect this situation?
