By signing the arbitration agreement, Slovenia and Croatia agreed to respect the ruling of the Hague-based arbitration tribunal. The Ministry of the Interior have confirmed that they have been notified of the date. “The setting of the timetable is within the tribunal’s discretion. Slovenia is fine with it,” they added.

The Ministry added that the entire arbitration process is very extensive and challenging, as the tribunal has to pass a ruling on both the land and maritime border between Slovenia and Croatia. Hence, the tribunal needs more time to review the arguments and documents.

The arbitration process has been underway for more than three years
The first meeting was held on April 13, 2012. However, the arbitration agreement had already been signed on November 4, 2009.

The most difficult part of the arbitration process is the maritime border dispute: The maritime border between the two former Yugoslav Republics – as well as Slovenia’s access to the high seas – had never been determined. The 670-kilometer land border Slovenia shares with Croatia is another issue the tribunal has to tackle. The countries also have a few minor land border disputes, but the arbitration tribunal will have to determine the course of the entire border on land.

G. V.; translated by D. V.