He was speaking after addressing the Arbitration tribunal in the Hague today, which will resolve the border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia.

Today's part of the two-week hearing behind closed doors has been designed primarily to defend the Bay of Piran and Slovenia's access to the open seas. This is of crucial importance for Slovenia and the minister said that the hearing went very well. He said the expert team was well prepared.

He also highlighted the connection between Slovenia giving its consent to Croatia's EU membership and the provision of the arbitration agreement under which the court must determine Slovenia's access to the open seas, taking into account good neighborly relations and fairness.

Erjavec also added that a legally binding decision was expected next year with a positive outcome for Slovenia.

translated by: I.U. Rsi