Croatia, Slovenia Sign Border Deal

Associated Press

11/4/2009

The prime ministers of Balkan neighbors Croatia and Slovenia on Wednesday signed a border deal, unblocking 
Croatia`s bid to join the European Union.

Croatia`s Jadranka Kosor and Borut Pahor of Slovenia penned the agreement in a ceremony in the capital 
of Sweden, which currently holds the EU presidency. It now needs to be ratified by lawmakers in both 
countries.

The deal calls for international negotiators to draw an Adriatic border left unmarked after the 1991 
breakup of Yugoslavia.

"I`m sure that eventually, at the end of the day, we will be supported also by parliaments. I`m inviting 
them to do so," Ms. Kosor said. "I also think that this is a step which opens a new door and brings new 
hope also to our neighbors."

Mr. Pahor said it was a historic day for Croatia, Slovenia and the EU. "Something good happened today, 
something that resolves problems, not creates problems, something that can be an inspiration for the 
future," he said.

The drafting of the deal led Slovenia, an EU member, to lift its objections over Croatia`s negotiations 
to join the 27-nation bloc. Those talks resumed on Oct. 2.

With less than 16 miles of Adriatic coastline between the Italian and Croatian borders, Slovenia wants 
the border to include a channel giving it open sea access. Croatia has said only that it would offer 
Slovenia free transit through its waters.

Croatian nationalists and leftists opposed to the deal said it would relinquish part of its territory 
to Slovenia. Slovenian opponents, meanwhile, say international arbitrators could end up dismissing Slovenia`s 
claim altogether.