Press release regarding recent statements by certain Slovenian officials

Slovenia’s actions and diplomatic activities thwarting Croatia’s progress in Chapters 13 (Fisheries) and 24 (Justice, Freedom, and Security) are not reflective of the level and character of the two countries’ relations, and are not in the spirit of the European policy of constructive dialogue, respect, and solidarity. It is precisely in accordance with the EU practice that Croatia considers unacceptable the attempts to drag unresolved bilateral issues into the negotiations and burden Croatia’s negotiation process with issues that are in no way a constituent part of the negotiations themselves. The fact that Slovenia is alone in the EU in its demands concerning Chapters 13 and 24 confirms the validity of Croatia’s approach.

The MFAEI closely follows Slovenia’s evaluations and activities regarding the course of Croatia’s EU negotiations. We pay equal attention to Slovenia’s preparations for the EU chairmanship in the first half of 2008, a period during which Croatia expects to make considerable achievements in the negotiation process. The MFAEI would like to express satisfaction with Slovenia’s position on the further EU enlargement being one of its chairmanship’s priorities. As regards the remaining open issues with Slovenia, the Republic of Croatia remains open to constructive and unconditional dialogue.