Deputy FM Ivan Šimonović presented Croatia's views and positions concerning the intention of Croatia to extend its jurisdiction in the Adriatic to the representatives of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Croatia who were invited to the Ministry of

Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Ivan Šimonović presented Croatia's views and positions concerning the intention of Croatia to extend its jurisdiction in the Adriatic to the representatives of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Croatia who were invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning.

The reason for calling the meeting was the reaction of some officials of the Republic of Slovenia which in the opinion of Croatian Foreign Service are unfounded and inappropriate from the point of view of international law which regulates this matter and transparency of Croatia's actions in extending the jurisdiction in the Adriatic. Declaring the extension of jurisdiction, in terms of international law, is a unilateral action of a coastal state which is in contact with high seas, and such state is not under obligation to seek agreement of other states. However, in its desire to maintain good relations and cooperation, Croatia has conducted bilateral consultations with all interested states. At the preparatory multilateral meeting of all Mediterranean states, arranged by the European Union in Athens in late June of the current year, Croatian representatives informed the representatives of the Mediterranean states that Croatia had announced its intention to discuss the issue of extending its jurisdiction in the Adriatic with all interested states, including Slovenia, prior to the next meeting of all Mediterranean states to be held in Brussels in late September.

Dr. Šimonović underlined the legally incorrect Slovenian allegation that the Republic of Slovenia is in territorial contact with high seas and is thus entitled to its exclusive economic zone. Owing to its geographic position Slovenia cannot declare an exclusive economic zone because the territorial sea of Slovenia is enclosed by the territorial seas of Italy and Croatia. In addition, Slovenia cannot legally make Croatia's right to declare exclusive economic zone conditional upon the ratification of the Border Agreement between Croatia and Slovenia which has never been signed in the first place. Croatia's extension of jurisdiction in the Adriatic would not affect any third states. On the contrary, all Adriatic states will benefit from it, in particular because of the introduction of systematic management of fish resources on a sustainable and reasonable basis, and because of an efficient protection of the marine environment. Declaring an exclusive economic zone would create conditions for the conclusion of fishing agreements with the European Union and other interested states.

Charge d'Affaires of the Slovenian Embassy in Zagreb asked why Croatia was pushing ahead with the declaration of the exclusive economic zone while the European Union preferred enlargement of protected fishing and ecological zones. Dr. Šimonović replied that Croatia was not pushing ahead with or forcing anything, but simply intended to extend its jurisdiction in the Adriatic to protect its interests and advance the common interest of the Mediterranean states in accordance with international law. Croatian Government has not yet adopted a final decision on the mode of extension of its jurisdiction in accordance with the views of the European Union concerning the use and protection of the Mediterranean. In case of Croatia the declaration of a protected fishing and ecological zone or of an exclusive economic zone is, in its effect, very similar. The former Yugoslavia and Italy divided the epicontinental zone (sea-bed and subsoil) in the Adriatic back in 1968, so the exclusive economic zone could mainly involve the use of fish resources, scientific research and protection of marine environment. Croatia remains open to serious talks and negotiations concerning the extension of its jurisdiction with all interested states, particularly with Slovenia, and will fully respect the rights of other states.

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