ZAGREB, June 28, 2018 – Croatia is ready to discuss with Slovenia ways of resolving the border issue after Slovenia’s new government is formed, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Thursday after meeting Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) leader Janez Janša and discussing the matter with him in Brussels earlier in the day.
Plenković and Janša were attending a meeting of leaders of the European People’s Party who meet before each EU summit.
“We are willing to negotiate with our Slovenian friends in order to solve this long-lasting outstanding issue in a diplomatic way and bilaterally. I have told so SDS leader Janez Janša today and I hope a new government will be formed soon in Slovenia because we are ready to negotiate again,” Plenković told reporters.
Plenković also commented on relations with the USA when asked by a reporter about Ambassador Robert Kohorst’s statement that Washington had taken Croatia for granted so far and about a possible visit by U.S. Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis.
“We always try to have good relations, I haven’t read that statement specifically, but what is good is that we are partners in NATO. There is a possibility that the Secretary of Defence will visit Croatia after the NATO summit in Brussels. We must finally get a decision on the cancellation of visa requirements and we have been working on that continually,” said Plenković.
