A “territorial” consensus

The stumbling block, which has hitherto barred Croatia from joining the European Union, seems to have been removed. The process was obstructed by a long-time territorial argument with Slovenia, where a recent referendum spoke in favor of the creation of an international arbitration commission which would demark the borderline between the two countries. According to Reuters, 51,5 percent of ballots, out of the 99,9 percent processed so far, support this idea. The ruling coalition backed a campaign in favor of the treaty, while the opposition maintained that it would be against the interests of Slovenia.

The territorial argument which started immediately after the split of Yugoslavia has been going on for 19 years already. It concerns the bay of Piran in the Adriatic. Croatia insists that the borderline be drawn through the middle of the bay, so it might have access to the international waters. Ljubljana, however, apprehensive of losing this maritime outlet, has blocked its neighbor from joining the EU, initially scheduled for 2012. The problem of the bay of Piran has long been on the agenda in the election campaigns of both countries. Nevertheless, experts hope that the arbitration commission will resolve it for good.

“This is a historical decision, and a great breakthrough for Slovenia,” said Slovenian prime minister Borut Pahor speaking on the national TV. Jadranka Kosor, prime minister of Croatia, also speaking on air, declared that there would be no further obstacles on the part of Slovenia to prevent Croatia from joining the European Union. Certainly, the dialog must continue. Yet thanks to this decision, we have been able to separate the question of European integration from that of border demarkation.” Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, also welcomed the results of the referendum. “It is an important step forward. We now hope to see the end of the argument. The solution of this bilateral problem is an important message for the entire region and for the Slovenia-Croatia relations,” he said.

We would like to remind that Slovenia joined the European Union in 2004, and is still the only former Yugoslav state to become a EU member. No other former Yugoslav republic has initiated talks on joining the European Union, and most are left alone to face the problems which emerged after the wars of the 1990s.