According to Cerar, Plenković is trying to avoid any dialog about the implementation of the arbitration court's decision – a crucial step if the meeting in Zagreb were to go ahead. Cerar adds that Slovenia will insist on dialog about the implementation, which would resolve the border dispute in a mutually beneficial way and in accordance to international law.

The problem is that Plenković wants to create an impression that Slovenia does not want dialog, which isn't the case and amounts to playing dumb, said the Slovenian Prime Minister when he arrived at the EU Summit in Brussels. Cerar believes that just the opposite is the case. The meeting in Tallinn several weeks ago showed that the two parties are talking. Cerar explained that his letter clearly stated how he wants the dialog to proceed.

The Croatian Prime Minister never specifically addressed the Slovenian letter, nor did he respond to Cerar's call for the creation of a joint demarcation committee and several other questions. "I have noticed that he's avoiding the key element of any dialog – discussions about the implementation of the arbitration decision. This must be a part of our continued talks; all other topics can wait," stressed Cerar.

When asked what must happen before he heads to a meeting in Zagreb, Cerar said that incidents on the sea must be avoided first and foremost. He gave the example of Croatia's recent expansion of mussel farms into Slovenian territorial waters.

G. C., Al. Ma., T. H.; translated by J. B.