FM Rupel Proud of OSCE Chairmanship and Work in the EU

Ljubljana, 07 December

Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel has highlighted OSCE chairmanship and Slovenia's standing in the EU as two key achievements after one year in office.

OSCE chairmanship was a good test for EU presidency in 2008, Rupel told the press in Ljubljana on Wednesday, just one day after the apex of the OSCE chairmanship, the ministerial council session.
According to him, the Foreign Ministry is already preparing for the EU presidency in close cooperation with Germany and Portugal, Slovenia's predecessors at the helm of the Union.
Another achievement over the past year has been the Slovenia-Croatia declaration on the avoidance of incidents that the two governments signed in June, Rupel said.
Minister Rupel said the statement contributed to strengthening trust and creating conditions for the easing of tensions.
However, he admitted that there is a "small problem" in relations with Croatia - the "lack of credibility on behalf of Croatia."
"We have a few bad experiences with Croatia regarding compliance with promises, commitments, arrangements and agreements," he said.
Rupel nevertheless reiterated that Slovenia was willing to help Croatia in its efforts to join the EU. "We want to help our friends in Croatia, to make the accession period as short as possible."
"However, in order to shorten the time we will have to resolve some problems...We are an EU member and Croatia must resolve border issues before it becomes a member," he said.
Rupel also noted that the ministry had taken part in the drafting of the act on a protective ecological zone in the Adriatic. "We want a solution that binds Croatia, Slovenia and Italy to protect the Adriatic."
As for the Balkans, Rupel said Slovenia "broke through with the proposal for Macedonia's candidacy," and reiterated the position that the entire Balkans belongs in the EU.

FM Rupel Proud of OSCE Chairmanship and Work in the EU

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