Statement by First Vice-President Timmermans on the final award issued on 29 June by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in the arbitration between Croatia and Slovenia

Source: European Commission (EC) i, published on Tuesday, July 4 2017.

Today the Commission held a discussion on the final award made on 29 June by the Arbitration Tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration as regards maritime and land borders between Croatia and Slovenia.

This is an issue that has been going on for more than 20 years.

The Commission has always been supportive of the peaceful settlement of border disputes between Member States. In this particular process we have also acted as facilitator, leading to the establishment of the arbitration process in 2009.

In this particular case, now that there is a decision, the Commission takes good note of the final award and expects both parties to implement it.

In the same vein the Commission welcomes that both Prime Ministers of Slovenia and Croatia will meet on 12 July and have agreed that no unilateral steps would be taken before then. The Commission hopes that both Prime Ministers can come to an agreement on how best to implement the award.

The Commission of course stands ready to contribute to or facilitate this process. Once we are on our way in this process the College will come back to the issue to discuss the progress and see how the Commission can help bring about a full implementation and just implementation of the award.

STATEMENT/17/1911