NEWS

13.01.2010

Prime Minister Pahor meets Croatian colleague Jadranka Kosor

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, met informally with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Jadranka Kosor, in Kranjska Gora. In his statement to the press following the meeting, Prime Minister Pahor said that the informal working meeting with his Croatian counterpart was primarily dedicated to further strengthening the co-operation and comprehensive friendship between the two countries and to resolving certain outstanding issues "still pending after both Governments have done their utmost to settle the most difficult issue arising from the disintegration of the former common state, the border issue."

(Foto: Matej Leskovšek/STA)

Prime Minister Pahor said that the two countries had agreed to establish a joint commission at the government level to draft a list of other open issues and present proposals for their resolution. "When issues are identified, they will be finally settled at the ministerial level or at the level of Heads of Government. By resolving the border dispute, we are now able to tackle other outstanding issues; it is our political will to settle them to mutual benefit, to strengthen relations and to open a new chapter in good neighbourly relations," said Mr Pahor, adding that the two countries would attempt to ease reservations concerning at least two out of the three remaining negotiating chapters by the next Intergovernmental Accession Conference to be held in Brussels on 19 February 2010. He particularly stressed that the said chapters "do not involve a blockade or a reservation in principle by the Slovenian side regarding any chapter, but refer to the reservation relating to all 27 EU Member States."

(Foto: Matej Leskovšek/STA)

Prime Minister Kosor thanked Prime Minister Pahor for the warm reception and expressed her satisfaction with the continued working meetings of the twos, which "aim at building strong bridges between the two Governments and countries." Ms Kosor also said that the agreement to establish a joint commission demonstrates the willingness of both Governments to continue resolving the outstanding issues.

(Foto: Matej Leskovšek/STA)

The two also agreed to revive a joint economic committee established several years ago; it will meet next month in Zagreb. "Economic co-operation is important for both countries and we have therefore decided to initiate a more active partnership. Both Governments will appoint members to the committee as soon as possible," said Prime Minister Pahor. Agreement was also reached on a joint initiative and conference on the importance and perspective of the Western Balkan countries for peace, security and stability in Europe, and for their membership in the European Union.