Pahor: Slovenia and Croatia as an Example of How to Resolve Issues Through Dialogue

Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, along with her Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor, is hosting the Conference on the Balkans in Brdo near Kranj, which began with the handover of the translation of the EU legal acquis to regional leaders.

– Everyone must recognize each other, and nothing can exist without trust in politics. Without it, everything would go down the wrong path. Jadranka and I know this from our own experiences, as we sometimes only had trust. As a member of the European Council, I must warn that this is a turning point, and we must decide whether we will take the path of problems or the path of opportunities – stated Borut Pahor.

By stating that Slovenia and Croatia are a beautiful example for others in the region on how to resolve mutual issues through dialogue, Pahor particularly emphasized that the conference has opened a process of strengthening dialogue and trust. – In this process, the doors are open to those who were not among us today – said Pahor, alluding to the absence of Serbian President Boris Tadić, while praising the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Nikola Špirić, who attended the conference despite reservations, as BiH has not recognized Kosovo.

Prime Minister Kosor highlighted that she and Slovenian Prime Minister Pahor have shown how problems can be effectively resolved. – We started with many unresolved issues, and bridges of cooperation can only be built if there is goodwill and an atmosphere. I have the impression that the conference took place in an atmosphere of culture, dialogue, and a culture of building. There was also talk about the economy, and I arranged a joint government session with Nikola Špirić (BiH) – she stated.

Jadranka Kosor shared with all conference participants the translation of the EU legal acquis in Croatian, thus expressing Croatia’s support to all countries in the region in their efforts to implement necessary reforms and eventually join the European Union. – The translations of the EU acquis are a significant task, but also a sign of friendship towards our neighbors. I am glad that this act of handover is taking place in our friendly and dear neighboring Slovenia – said Kosor after handing over the CD. The conference is attended by the prime ministers of BiH, Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania, as well as the European Commissioner for EU Enlargement Štefan Fuele and the head of UNMIK Lamberto Zanier.

The absence of Serbian President Boris Tadić was confirmed on Friday evening. The late confirmation of non-attendance at Brdo near Kranj on Friday evening was also given by Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Nikola Špirić, announced yesterday that he would leave the hall when the representative of Kosovo would have a presentation, as BiH has not recognized Kosovo’s independence. Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, commenting on Boris Tadić’s absence, stated that the politics of countries in the region must be marked by cooperation, not boycott. For this occasion, Kosor chose a brooch in the shape of Croatia, which, let us remember, she wore during the signing of the Arbitration Agreement in November last year.