1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
German coalition collapseDonald TrumpCOP29

Croatian-Slovenian border

hf/pfd, afp/dpaMay 5, 2009

Croatia has taken another step towards EU membership by accepting a proposed arbitration body to settle a longstanding border row with Slovenia.

https://p.dw.com/p/HkFq
Croatian border police checks ID cards of Croatian passengers driving from Croatia to European Union at Bregana border crossing between Croatia and Slovenia.
An 18-year-old border dispute has become a stumbling block for Croatia's EU-membership bidImage: AP

Croatian President Stipe Mesic announced that his country would allow an international arbitration panel to determine its land and sea border with Slovenia, a proposal put forward by European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.

“We have harmonized our views...we are accepting the new proposal,” Mesic said, after meeting with Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, cabinet ministers and the heads of the main political parties.

Croatia and Slovenia have disagreed on the border at the coastal town of Piran and access to the Adriatic Sea since the two countries declared their independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991.

The dispute has led Slovenia to block Croatia's bid to join the EU, demanding that it be resolved before accession talks can resume. Commissioner Rehn suggested a panel of five arbitrators chosen by Zagreb and Ljubljana after the two countries failed to agree on terms for an EU mediation effort by Finnish Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari.

Croatia hopes to complete its accession talks by the end of the year, which would put it on track to become the bloc's 28th member in 2010 or 2011.

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

Experts call EU expansion historic success

Experts call EU expansion historic success

On May 1, 2004, Europe celebrated the enlargement of the EU. Five years later, many Europeans don't feel much like commemorating the historic occasion, even though there are still plenty of reasons to celebrate. (01.05.2009)
May 1, 2009
closed door with German and french flags

France, Germany Bolt EU Doors to Western Balkans

France, Germany Bolt EU Doors to Western Balkans

Seven western Balkan nations aspiring to join the EU had their hopes dampened by French and German officials reluctant to see the 27-member bloc expanding in times of unfinished inner reforms and global economic crisis. (28.03.2009)
March 28, 2009
The EU flag

Iceland Would Enjoy "Fast" EU Membership Process, Officials Say

Iceland Would Enjoy "Fast" EU Membership Process, Officials Say

Officials in Brussels say Iceland would find it easier to join the European Union than other membership hopefuls since it already follows most of the bloc's rules. But an essential prerequisite is missing. (30.01.2009)
January 30, 2009