The expansion of the mussel farm into the middle part of the bay was approved by the Croatian government, although upon signing the arbitration agreement the countries had agreed to refrain from taking one-sided action until the arbitral court gives its verdict about the border dispute.

The farm in question has been located in the Bay of Piran since 1998. It has spread several times in the past but this is the first time that the farm has obtained official approval of the Croatian government, explains the Slovenian foreign minister Karl Erjavec. "This goes to show what the Croatian government does not seem to understand: that the arbitration agreement is still valid," argues Erjavec, who believes this action will cause unnecessary conflict.

Slovenia has always responded to such deeds through diplomatic protest notes, the last time in February. The minister expects the tensions to continue if the Court of Arbitration does not manage to reach the final decision on the border issue as soon as possible. Moreover, such one-sided moves could prejudice the settlement of the border in terms of its location.

Sandra Brankovič, Radio Slovenija; translated by K. Z.