European Commission reacts to yesterday’s decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
The European Commission called on Croatia and Slovenia on Friday to respect the decision of the arbitration court, which on Thursday decided, despite the fact that Slovenia had violated provisions of the arbitration agreement, to continue with the process of resolving the border dispute between the two countries, reports 24sata.hr on July 1, 2016.
“The European Commission continues to closely monitor developments in this important matter, and takes note of the decision of the arbitration court. The European Commission is not a party to the arbitration agreement, but continues to support and encourage dialogue between the two sides in order to find a common solution. We expect that all parties will respect yesterday’s decision in order to reach a lasting solution to this dispute”, said spokesman Alexander Winterstein in reply to a journalist’s question to comment on the decision of the arbitration court.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague announced on Thursday that arbiters would make a decision on disputed parts of the land and sea border between the two countries.
Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs reacted to the decision. “Croatia is no longer a party to the arbitration proceedings and the Ministry will not comment on the intentions or the decisions of the arbitration court”, said the Ministry. “The arbitration court has failed to restore confidence in its independence and impartiality as well as in international arbitration law in general”, said the Ministry.
For its part, Slovenia has welcomed the decision. “Slovenia will respect the decision, and the same is expected of Croatia”, said Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar in a statement, adding that the unresolved dispute had burdened relations between the two countries and their people ever since Slovenia and Croatia became independent countries, and therefore “must be resolved”.
