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Roundup: Croatian no longer considers border arbitration with Slovenia fair, independent

Xinhua, July 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Vesna Pusic said on Wednesday evening that Croatian no longer considered border arbitration with Slovenia fair and independent.

Croatian parliament on Wednesday unanimously adopted a decision to withdraw from arbitration following revelations a Slovenian judge on the international panel had tried to lobby other judges.

European Commission (EC) expressed its regret on Croatia's unilateral decision to pull out of the arbitration agreement although it respected democratic vote of the parliament.

EC spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said EC would hear both sides and try and mediate between them.

Earlier, EC had said the Arbitration Tribunal would continue to operate even if Croatia withdraws. But Croatian government spokesman said it was not in the jurisdiction of the European Commission (EC) and it is a bilateral agreement between two equal members of the European Union.

Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar said after Croatian parliament made the decision that the arbitration agreement between Croatia and Slovenia was still valid and that the arbitration process should be continued.

Former Slovenian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmitrij Rupel said on Wednesday that Croatia has never honoured any agreement with Slovenia. It only "wants incidents and drama".

He warned that Slovenia should block Croatia's entrance into Schengen passport-free area if Croatia would not value the arbitration agreement.

Croatia and Slovenia signed an arbitration agreement on the borders on Nov. 4, 2009, which entered into force on Nov. 29, 2010. Endit