FM Pusić: If arbitration allegations are true, that drastically changes the situation

“We are very concerned about a newspaper article on the arbitration procedure Croatia is leading before the Arbitration Tribunal regarding the border with Slovenia. If any of the allegations are true, that would drastically change the whole situation...

“We are very concerned about a newspaper article on the arbitration procedure Croatia is leading before the Arbitration Tribunal regarding the border with Slovenia. If any of the allegations are true, that would drastically change the whole situation,” First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and European Affairs Minister Vesna Pusić said at a press conference today. She recalled that Croatia had entered the procedure trusting international legal institutions and in good faith, stressing that the fundamental values of judges in the arbitration procedure were impartiality and independence. “We have to do absolutely everything in our power to check the authenticity of these allegations,” Pusić told the press, recalling that doubts first occurred in spring, when Slovenian Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec said Slovenia had informal information that the tribunal would rule in its favour. Croatia then sent a letter to the European Commission and the tribunal, which replied there was no cause for concern. Pusić underscored that doubts had proven to be at least partially true, but it would have to be thoroughly examined. If the claims prove to be true, that would drastically change the whole situation, Pusić said, adding it would be shocking and unacceptable for Croatia or any other country involved in international arbitration. Asked if the entire procedure would be brought into question should the media allegations prove to be true, Pusić said: “Let’s take one step at a time. We have to do absolutely everything in our power to check the authenticity of these allegations.” As to whether there are any mechanisms for that, Pusić reiterated that allegations had to be verified first and that there were certain mechanisms, including the European Commission, which played an important role in reaching the arbitration agreement. Responding to insinuations that Croatia should have influenced the tribunal, Pusić said lobbying was strictly forbidden and that Croatia had in no way violated the arbitration procedure. She also underlined that arbitration could exist only if it was completely impartial and that any violation of the rules brought into question the entire procedure. Asked whether this painted a bad picture for international justice, Pusić replied that if the allegations proved to be true, then yes. As for the costs, Pusić said Croatia would spend whatever was necessary and would stick to the terms of the arbitration agreement until the end. “This is too important to be messed with in any way,” she said. 

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