Foreign Minister Rupel meets Croatia counterpart Gordan Jandrokovic in Brdo
The Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Gordan Jandrokovic, paid an official visit to Ljubljana at the invitation of Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel. The two ministers have already met on several occasions: at a working lunch in Munich on 9 February, at the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brdo on 29 March and at numerous other EU events in Brussels and Luxembourg. But the meeting organised at the invitation of Minister Rupel represented the first opportunity for an in-depth analysis of relations between the two countries. At first the ministers held talks in private, but later the delegations of both ministries joined them.
The meeting was followed by a press conference, at which Minister Rupel stressed that Slovenia and Croatia shared numerous strategic interests. Besides the obvious fact that there is a Slovenian minority in Croatia and that there are numerous Croats living in Slovenia, the inhabitants of both countries are linked by historical friendly and family ties. Good neighbourly relations between the two countries represent a common interest; cooperation in the border area is being developed in favour of both sides, and the inhabitants of both countries have a desire to live in friendship and cooperation, looking towards the future. With regard to open issues and problems resulting from the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, the Slovenian Minister highlighted the obligation of both countries to develop mutual trust, to avoid incidents and to resolve outstanding issues in line with European norms.
Regarding Croatia’s drawing closer to Euro-Atlantic integrations, Minister Rupel highlighted Slovenia’s interest in the stabilisation of the Western Balkans and its integration into Euro-Atlantic structures with the aim of establishing an open European region from Ljubljana to Athens with the introduction of Schengen and euro areas. “Croatia is first in line," added Foreign Minister Rupel. Slovenia expressed support for Croatia's membership in NATO at the Bucharest Summit and will sign the protocols for Albania’s and Croatia’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation tomorrow in accordance with the resolution of the National Assembly’s Committee on Foreign Policy. With regard to Croatia's integration into the EU, Minister Rupel stressed that Croatia opened four negotiation chapters during the Slovenian Presidency (the same number as during the Portuguese Presidency). Minister Rupel commented on Chapter 13 (Fisheries), explaining that there were no limitations on Croatia's progress but that the country would have to take an active and dynamic approach towards the fulfilment of EU conditions. Slovenia will strive for the resolution of problems resulting from the negative outcome of the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
Minister Rupel also addressed economic cooperation by stressing tourism. He explained that Croatia was visited by more than a million Slovenian tourists with 5.6 million overnight stays in the last year. Slovenia’s investments exceed 684 million euros, and there are 140 companies with Slovenian capital active in Croatia; trade in 2007 increased by 15.4%, with exports from Slovenia in 2007 amounting to 1.568 million euros and imports from Croatia to 849 million euros. Cooperation in the field of culture is lively as well, with guest performances, translations, various events, exhibitions and numerous initiatives on both sides of the border area.
However, there are still a number of challenges, problems and open questions between the two countries that need attention. Primary among these is the resolution of the border issue. “It is in Slovenia’s interest that Croatia becomes an EU Member State. The border issue with Slovenia should be resolved prior to that. We need to find either a creative permanent or a temporary solution as soon as possible,” stated Minister Rupel. He also mentioned that Slovenia had made various proposals in the past, one of them being the establishment of two mixed commissions, which would hold sessions regularly. Slovenia’s baselines for the work of the commissions were adopted by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and approved by the Committee on Foreign Policy. “The final decision will be reached by the National Assembly,” added the Minister.
Minister Rupel concluded by highlighting that the discussion was useful, as he reviewed numerous issues on relations between the two countries with his Croatian colleague. "The talks always contribute to the strengthening of trust and create a positive atmosphere. We want to solve issues in a constructive spirit with regard to European principles of good neighbourly relations,” added Minister Rupel.
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