In his statement for a Croatian TV station, Slovenian president Borut Pahor has commented the current situation regarding the arbitral agreement between Slovenia and Croatia. Pahor, speaking from Budva in Montenegro, where he is attending the To Be Secure forum, said that for as long as the arbitral court still operates and could make a final decision on determining the border, he saw no reason for worsening good relations with his Croatian colleague Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović or saying anything negative about the relations between the two countries. Pahor emphasized that "excellent relations with neighbouring countries are the greatest guarantee of stability for any country, including Slovenia".

Slovenia opened the door of EU membership to Croatia
Pahor pointed out that the people of Slovenia voted in favour of the arbitral agreement at a referendum in 2010, which opened the door to membership of Croatia in the European Union. "I urge all decision makers in Croatia not to neglect this, not to let this out of their sight," Pahor added.

The president also stressed that Slovenia would like to settle its relations with Croatia, and that he believed the arbitral agreement to be a foundation for such relations. "I understand that Croatia decided to oppose this decision last summer, but regardless of its opposition the arbitral agreement is valid since it is an international contract," the Slovenian president said in conclusion.

T. H., MMC; translated by K. Z.