NEWS

Slovenian and Croatian Prime Ministers Sign Arbitration Agreement

In Stockholm today, the Slovenian Prime Minister, Borut Pahor, and his Croatian counterpart, Jadranka Kosor, signed an arbitration agreement between their respective governments. In his statement to the press after the event, Mr Pahor first expressed his satisfaction with the signing of this agreement, and went on to say that "this is not only a historic moment for the Republic of Slovenia, the Republic of Croatia and the European Union, but also for the entire international community, as it represents an action that solves rather than generates problems."

 

(Foto: Jože Suhadolnik/Delo)

 

Prime Minister Pahor highlighted the need for the arbitration agreement, since the two countries, as neighbours, must know where their border is. He added that an important step was made towards a solution that will offer ways to resolve other, less difficult, open issues and to enhance bilateral co-operation.

In their statement to the press, the Prime Minister Pahor and Prime Minister Kosor emphasised that the signing is the result of a mutual relationship based on trust, respect and understanding, without which such historically significant issues could not be resolved. Prime Minister Kosor said that the signing constitutes a "new page" for bilateral relations and a new hope for the neighbouring countries to the south.

 

(Foto: Jože Suhadolnik/Delo)

 

After the event, the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt congratulated the two prime ministers and said that today's signing of the agreement was a sign of political courage that would contribute both to the improvement of Slovenian-Croatian relations and to the EU enlargement process. He also expressed his confidence that this model of leadership would inspire other political leaders in the region.