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Croatia says ready for bilateral solution on border dispute with Slovenia

Xinhua, March 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

Croatia was ready to resolve the border dispute with Slovenia bilaterally, the Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Ministry said on Thursday.

Croatia has sent an explanation to members of the United Nations to present its position on arbitration over Piran Gulf, off the two neighboring countries' coasts, saying Slovenia's actions irreparable damage to the arbitration and it expected Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague to end its work without delay, according to a statement from the ministry.

"Croatia has made it clear that it is ready to settle the border dispute with Slovenia through bilateral negotiations in the spirit of good neighborly relations and in accordance with international law," the statement said.

PCA announced on Monday that a new oral hearing would be held on March 17, but Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miro Kovac said at the same day that Croatia had withdrawn from the arbitration, therefore it was no longer a party to the proceedings and it will not respond to the summons.

Slovenian Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec said on Thursday the border arbitration process could continue even though Croatia had withdrawn from it, according to the Croatian News Agency Hina.

"I am pleased that this hearing was held," Erjavec was quoted as saying.

Croatia pulled out the arbitration last July after media revealed claimed secret call records between a judge at the PCA and the Slovenian representative in the court about lobbying other judges to influence the outcome of the arbitration in Slovenia's favor.

Croatia blamed Slovenia had "severely breached" the arbitration treaty and made it impossible to continue.

Regarding disputes between the two countries on sea borders of Piran gulf, located on the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia claims at last 66 percent or more in the gulf, while Croatia claims 50 percent for itself.

In 2009, the two countries signed an arbitration agreement, agreeing to resolve their territorial dispute before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Croatia and Slovenia started a case before the court in June 2014. Endit