Minister Grlić-Radman: Outstanding issues need to be resolved

Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman on Tuesday called for outstanding issues between Croatia and Slovenia to be resolved bilaterally

Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman on Tuesday called for outstanding issues between Croatia and Slovenia to be resolved bilaterally, adding that that was possible if there was sufficient political will on both sides.

"Outstanding issues need to be resolved and it is in politicians' interest that that burden not be left to the next generation. They are pebbles in our shoes that need to be removed," Grlić Radman said in an interview with the Slovenian STA news agency during the Bled Strategic Forum on Monday.

"Croatians and Slovenians understand each other very well so why shouldn't politicians do so too," he said when asked about the future of the relationship between the two countries after the new government led by Janez Janša was elected following the parliamentary election.

Due to their geopolitical position and membership of the European Union and NATO, both countries have many advantages but also common points and can be an example to Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the EU and to support them together, Grlić Radman noted among other things.

Asked about the border dispute, he recalled Croatia's stance that the arbitration ruling that Ljubljana is insisting on is not the solution for Croatia because Croatia withdrew from the arbitration procedure ,and last year the EU tribunal declared that it was not competent to rule on Slovenia's suit in which Slovenia claims that by not implementing the arbitration ruling Croatia is violating European law.

There is no arbitration if there isn't another party and both parties have to accept that reality, Grlić Radman said.

He underscored the good communication with his Slovenian counterpart Anže Logar.

Our initial meetings have created a psychological space to address concrete issues that are of importance to both countries, he said, citing the cooperation in tourism, coordinating epidemiological measures, and the tourism results achieved despite the coronavirus epidemic but also cooperation in curbing illegal migrations and jointly protecting the common European area.

Cooperation with Western Balkan countries is important because they too are responsible for protecting their own borders if they wish to join the European Union, concluded Grlić Radman.

(Text: Hina)

 

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