Slovenia, Croatia Reach Deal on Border And EU Talk

[crojoe]

Who knows what the deal was, but looks like there just may be light at the end of the tunnel, or water way. Here's hoping that HR join the EU sooner then later, so they can rid themselves of all the stupid forigners laws, and open the market up to a more level playing field.

[Madgolfer]

I haven't seen anything about this Crojoe? Any links?

[Madgolfer]

OK found it now;

"Kosor faxed EU president Sweden a statement saying that no document, position, written or oral statement in the Croatian negotiating process prejudges a solution to the Croatian-Slovene border demarcation issue. This guarantee also says that no document or unilateral move after 25 June 1991, when the two countries declared independence from the former Yugoslavia, has legal effect in the settlement of the border dispute, either at an arbitration court or during the EU accession negotiations."

Thank god for women! Don't you love them.

[Sasha]

From NY Times:

The European Union’s plan to admit Croatia and help stabilize the Balkans overcame a major obstacle Friday, after the Croatian government struck a deal with neighboring Slovenia to cool a border dispute.

Ten months of tense diplomatic confrontation gave way to an agreement in which Slovenia, which is already an E.U. member, promised to remove its block on Croatian membership talks.

The breakthrough Friday is of wider significance because while Croatia’s accession talks were stalled, the E.U.’s broader ambition to stabilize the Balkans also came to a halt.

The thaw in relations that led to the agreement gained momentum after an event during the summer tourist season captured headlines in August. It helped transform an increasingly polarized mood in both countries resulting from an argument over boundaries at Piran Bay on the Adriatic Sea.

After diving at Primosten off the coast of Croatia in August, Slovenia’s health minister, Borut Miklavcic, felt unwell and checked into a local hospital in Sibenik, where he was promptly treated for a mild stroke.

When news of his identity emerged, Mr. Miklavcic was visited by his Croatian counterpart, and after his return to Slovenia Mr. Miklavcic publicly praised the Croatian medical service.

Political analysts said the annual summer vacation pilgrimage of Slovenians to the spectacular Croatian coast helped show Slovenes that Croats were welcoming hosts, and to remind Croatia that tourists from Slovenia were vital to their battered economy.

Fears that Slovenian visitors would be insulted or even attacked physically proved unfounded.

“The most important thing,” said Jernej Pikalo, associate professor of political science at the University of Ljubljana, “was that nothing bad happened to Slovenian tourists.”

He added that the change in relations between the two nations reflected the realization that both parties were losing from the conflict.

The breakthrough came after talks between Prime Minister Borut Pahor and his Croat counterpart, Jadranka Kosor, who took over in July after the resignation of her predecessor, Ivo Sanader.

The meeting was preceded by a flurry of private diplomatic activity, including two meetings between Ms. Kosor and Mr. Pahor, and an agreement by both parties to avoid public criticism of the other.

The border dispute dates to 1991, when the two countries declared independence from the former Yugoslavia, and mainly concerns Piran Bay.

Croatia argued for the maritime frontier to be drawn down the middle of the bay, while Slovenia, which has a much shorter coastline than its neighbor, feared that this would deny its ships direct access to the ocean.

[boris]

Finally the yodlers came to their senses!

[Estelle]

I love Slavonian yodelers!

[3lions]

Sept 12, 2009 17:08:41 GMT 1 Sasha said:

“The most important thing,” said Jernej Pikalo, associate professor of political science at the University of Ljubljana, “was that nothing bad happened to Slovenian tourists.”

lol..where did he get that idea from. I don't think anyone is that aware or really cares.

[Madgolfer]

"was that nothing bad happened to Slovenian tourists.”

Was that really a genuine concern for Sloveniens?

[3lions]

I think it's the last chance for the Slovenians to get in the news for about the next 200 years.

[Sasha]

Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Secretary for Foreign Affairs, sent a letter to Croatian Prime Minister, Jadranka Kosor, in which she congratulates her on a successful agreement with Slovenian Prime Minister. More specifically, the letter points out that Kosor has achieved a historic agreement, and that this has created a clear path for Croatia’s accession with the EU.

Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country takes over at the EU Presidency in 2010 said that he hopes that Croatia will join the EU during their presidential term.

- It would be good to finish the Spanish presidency with addition of two new members, one from the south and one from the north, Croatia and Iceland, Moratinos said.

You can read Hillary Clinton’s letter in its entirety:

Dear Madam Prime Minister:

Congratulations on your recent agreement outlining steps to resolve differences over the longstanding border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia. This historic agreement paves the way for the way for renewed progress on Croatia’s EU accession and is a positive signal to the entire region.

This agreement would not have been possible without your strong, determined leadership. I commend you for overcoming the political obstacles that have made this agreement so difficult for both sides to achieve. You have managed to fashion a genuine “win-win” outcome. It is my strong hope that your shared commitment to European integration will continue to guide both countries as this agreement is implemented.

[crojoe]

such a comfort that every head of state within the EU know what the HR PM agreed with the Slovenian PM to broker a deal for Slov. to drop its block. Wonder if the Croatians will ever know till it’s signed, stamped and set in motion? Maybe it’s too explosive to share with the general population?

[boris]

The yodlers are stalling again!