Slovenia Supports Croatian EU Integration

Strunjan, 8 March - The first official discussions between the Slovene Minister for European Affairs Igor Bavcar and his Croatian counterpart Ivan Jakovcic on Wednesday in Strunjan, southwestern Slovenia, covered current political issues, Slovenia's negotiations with the EU, Croatia's wishes for EU integration and Slovenia's readiness to assist Croatia in its European integration attempts. Bavcar handed his Croatian counterpart all the documentation of Slovenia's negotiations for EU membership. The final part of the meeting was devoted to the cross-border co-operation, for which Slovenia earmarked SIT 2.177 billion (euro 10.7 million). Jakovcic forecasted Croatian talks with the European Commission on the stabilisation and accession agreement for autumn, while the agreement should be signed next year.