Brussels, 23/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - The border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia is still blocking Croatia's EU accession negotiations and runs a serious risk of thwarting Zagreb's plans to conclude the talks by the end of the year. The Czech Presidency of the EU decided on Thursday to cancel the “accession conference” with Croatia initially scheduled to be held in Brussels on Friday 24 April 2009. The meeting was initially scheduled for 27 March 2009 but was postponed for the same reason (see EUROPE 9868). Intense consultations were held in Brussels on Wednesday evening between EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, representatives of the trio of EU Presidencies (France, the Czech Republic and Sweden) and the Croatian and Slovenian foreign ministers, but not enough progress was made for Slovenia to feel it could lift its veto to allow the accession talks with Croatia to continue on Friday. In a press release, the Czech Presidency regrets the situation which does not reflect the “real progress Croatia has already made” in preparing for accession. A new date for the meeting will be decided when there is a positive change in the situation, explained the Presidency. On Wednesday evening, the trio of EU Presidencies expressed “full support” for the European Commission's efforts to find a solution and said they were certain agreement on continuing the negotiations was “within reach”. (H.B./transl.fl)