NEWS

Prime Minister Pahor congratulates Croatia on referendum supporting EU Membership

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, last night congratulated Croatia on its referendum vote in favour of Croatia's accession to the European Union, stressing that this was a major historical decision of strategic importance, not only for Croatia but for the rest of the Western Balkans and Europe. Prime Minister Pahor took the view that EU membership was not the solution to every issue faced by Slovenia and Croatia; however, these issues would be even more pressing if the two countries were not given the opportunity to be involved in formulating EU policy and, through this process, resolve their own issues.

   

Prime Minister Pahor compared the merits for lifting the blockade of Croatian negotiations with the EU and the arbitration agreement to what Reverend Martin Luther King referred to as a certain "historical need". He also added that it was a historic moment when the two nations – that have never been at war – faced the decision whether to either resolve or escalate their dispute, without pressure from the international community. According to the Prime Minister, the rational decision was taken to resolve the dispute. This solution today serves as a reference point, not only for the region but for the entire international community – something of which we should all be proud.