The Slovenian and Croatian prime ministers have agreed in their meeting to launch bilateral dialogue on all levels as soon as the new Slovenian government takes office.
The incoming Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa met his Croatian counterpart Ivo Sanader on the sidelines of Friday's summit of the Central European Initiative in Portoroz.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Jansa said that the open issues in relations cannot threaten the otherwise good relations between the countries.
Jansa said that he and Sanader agreed that open issues should be tackled promptly once the Slovenian government takes office.
Optimistic that the two countries could resolve their differences, Jansa confirmed that arbitration cannot be ruled out as a solution if the two countries fail to resolve difference on their own. He added that there was a long way to go before arbitration could be considered.
In a separate statement to the press after the meeting, Sanader said he was convinced that the two countries should turn to arbitration if they fail to reach an agreement on the disputed border on their own.
"International arbitration would not be a signal of immaturity. In fact, quite the contrary, it would be a show of maturity," according to Sanader.
"If arbitration could be used by big countries such as the US and Canada in cases regarding their maritime border...why can't Slovenia and Croatia turn to arbitration," Sanader said.
The priority now, said Sanader, is to establish official dialogue on all levels, including between the prime ministers.
Sanader reiterated his stance that "some open issues cannot overshadow the good and friendly relations" between Slovenia and Croatia.
According to Sanader, the pair also took the opportunity to examine Croatia's bid to join the European Union and NATO, with Jansa reaffirming the Slovenian government's support for Croatia's efforts.
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