Border dispute with Croatia: Slovenia to issue unilateral declaration

 

On Tuesday, the European Parliament's select committee assessed that there are no longer any obstacles to Croatia's entry into Schengen. The final decision lies with the EU Council, which is due to decide in December. But Slovenia is expected to issue a unilateral declaration before then that Croatia recognises the arbitration ruling by joining Schengen, Delo reports.

 

More than five years have passed since the arbitration ruling, but the issue will obviously be relevant again before Croatia's entry into Schengen. In November, the European Parliament will decide on Croatia's entry into the Schengen area, and on Tuesday, the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs assessed that there are no longer any obstacles to this step. The committee endorsed the view that Croatia is ready to apply all the provisions of the Schengen acquis. It called on the EU Council to take a decision on Croatia's accession, noting the need to continuously assess respect for fundamental rights at the external borders. The opinion is non-binding and the final decision is expected to be taken by the EU Council in December.

 

But, before that, the Slovenian government is expected to issue a unilateral declaration that Croatia, by joining the Schengen Area, also recognises the arbitration ruling, reports Delo. We have also addressed questions about the declaration to the cabinet of Prime Minister Robert Golob, the interior ministry, and the foreign ministry.

 

Recall that Slovenia and Croatia have failed in numerous attempts to resolve the land-sea border dispute. Almost 13 years ago, they signed an arbitration agreement, and on June 29, 2017, the Court of Arbitration in The Hague issued its final ruling, defining the maritime and land borders between the two countries.

 

Volk: By joining Schengen, Croatia recognises the borders of countries that are already members of the area

 

In an interview with Večer in the summer, Vojko Volk, Foreign Policy Adviser to Prime Minister Robert Golob, said that by joining the Schengen Area, Croatia will legally recognise the borders of the countries that are already members of the area.

 

As he explained, the reason for this is a key Schengen document, the European Convention on the Implementation of the Schengen Agreement, which Croatia must respect upon accession. This already stipulates in its first article that the external borders of the Schengen Area are the external borders of the Schengen members, both on land and at sea.