Croatia, Slovenia close to resolving problems: minister

(ZAGREB) - Croatia and Slovenia could soon resolve several issues including a long-running border dispute that have strained bilateral ties, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic said Tuesday.

"Right now we are close to finding a solution that would be acceptable for both (countries)," Jandrokovic was quoted as saying by the state-run HINA news agency.

Jandrokovic, speaking in Brussels on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers meeting, did not elaborate about the possible solution.

"Slovenia is in both the EU and NATO, and Croatia is very close (to joining them), so we believe it is natural that the two countries cooperate," he said after meeting his Slovenian counterpart Samuel Zbogar.

"We voiced readiness to go in that direction and I believe that we will solve the open issues in that way," Jandrokovic added.

Zbogar said: "We have agreed on ways of boosting confidence and respect to solve open issues more easy."

The dispute over their land and sea border has harmed ties between Croatia and Slovenia since 1991, when the two former Yugoslav republics proclaimed independence.

Zagreb accuses Ljubljana of using the issue to block its talks on joining the European Union.

Slovenia, a member of the European bloc since 2004, claims Croatia is attempting to use its European Union membership talks to impose a fait accompli on various border issues.

Croatia is hoping to join the 27-nation EU by 2011. It was invited to join NATO in April, while its full accession to the military alliance is expected next year.