NEWS
Prime Minister Pahor at the continuation of the 19th regular session of the National Assembly: “It is time to prepare well for the Arbitral Tribunal.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank again the citizens of Slovenia who, after 18 years of successful and unsuccessful agreements, made the final decision that the current agreement is a suitable way of settling border issues between two neighbouring countries, and that it opens a new chapter in relations between two neighbouring countries encompassing also other issues,” said the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, in his address to the deputies in the continuation of the 19th regular session of the National Assembly. The outcome of the legislative referendum on the Act Ratifying the Arbitration Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Croatia held on 6 June 2010 was proclaimed at the session.
The Prime Minister further stressed that the messages of congratulation to the Slovenian Government for this great success poured in from all over the world: “On this occasion I should like to emphasise that credit for this goes primarily to our citizens. To citizens who cast their votes at the referendum and to those who voted in favour of the agreement. Congratulations also for their courage and power of reason because after 18 years they adopted a solution to a highly complex issue, a political issue growing into a security issue. A solution which turned out to be appropriate for both sides and which at the same time protects Slovenia’s national interests.”
The final result will, however, in many aspects depend on the arbitration process. Preparations at the highest expert level and centralised management of preparations for our defence before the Arbitral Tribunal are the key to success before the Arbitral Tribunal. “The Slovenian Government is preparing its defence by setting up a pyramid of fora, authorities, consultative bodies, civil servants and senior officials,” added Prime Minister Pahor. If and how much evidence material supporting our claims we manage to collect, will also be considered an important success. “In the light of this, I am turning to all the relevant partners, natural and legal persons, to submit to the given address any material, documents or anything deemed of benefit to Slovenia's position in the proceedings before the Arbitral Tribunal. We will also issue a public call to this end, but I would like to take this opportunity to invite the deputies to take part in this process.”
He went on to explain that in addition to himself as head of the Government, a lawyer representing Slovenia before the Arbitral Tribunal will top the pyramid: “I am not referring to a member of the Arbitral Tribunal – the National Assembly will discuss this appointment proposed by the President of the Republic – but to an agent or lawyer. It is not my intention to hide something that has already become common knowledge: that this will be one of the most distinguished experts in international law who has already in principle accepted the task to assist Slovenia before the Arbitral Tribunal in the coming years.” The Prime Minister also announced the establishment of a special strategic council composed of outstanding figures from political, social and economic spheres in Slovenia, and a group of domestic and foreign experts in international law to provide advice and assistance in drawing up and presenting Slovenia's arguments. This council will select and examine evidence material substantiating Slovenia’s arguments before the Arbitral Tribunal. “It is of utmost importance now to join forces and prepare well for arbitration. Evidence material that has already been collected and documents still being collected, in our opinion, provide solid evidence for Slovenia but it has to be properly prepared and submitted to successfully complete work,” concluded Prime Minister Pahor.