Brussels, 11/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 11 March, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy welcomed the decision of the prime ministers of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, and Slovenia, Janez Jansa, to sign a protocol of understanding aiming to find a solution to the issue of Llubljanska Banka savings deposits. Van Rompuy said that this agreement “is an important step on Croatia's path towards the European Union”. In Van Rompuy's view, the signing ceremony the same day marks “an important moment in the relationship between Croatia and Slovenia as well as in (their) relationship with the European Union” and “sends a clear message - issues that seemed intractable for years can be addressed”. “Your constructive approach to solving bilateral issues like the maritime border dispute and now the Llubljanska Banka is a sign of maturity”, the president said, addressing the two prime ministers.
According to the agreement, the savings deposits in the bank will be handled following the 2001 agreement on the succession of financial assets of the ex-Yugoslavia. The bilateral negotiations to find a full solution will be continued under the auspices of the bank for international resolutions. The proceedings initiated by two Croatian banks against Llubljanska Banka will be suspended, and no other proceeding initiated. Slovenia will launch ratification procedures for Croatia's accession treaty.
The final progress report is expected at the end of March and the process of ratification in the EU27 is under way. (CG/transl.fl)