Friday, December 19, 2008

EU calls for end to Croatia-Slovenia border spat

"France urged Slovenia and Croatia Friday to end a 17-year-old border dispute amid worries it could hamper Croatia's bid to join the EU.

Slovenia on Friday used its veto power as an EU member to prevent the 27-nation bloc from speeding up membership negotiations with Croatia, apparently because of the border dispute.

The dispute, which involves a dispute over sea rights and various smaller tussles over land borders, dates back to 1991, when the two nations seceded from the former Yugoslav federation.

Bruno Le Maire, France's European affairs minister, urged Slovenia not to use the border dispute as an excuse to continue blocking entry talks with its Balkan neighbor."

Source: International Herald Tribune

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