Slovenian court approves arbitration deal with Croatia

Mar 23, 2010, 15:09 GMT

Ljubljana - The Slovenian Constitutional Court approved a border arbitration agreement with Croatia on Tuesday, paving the way for Zagreb to complete its entry talks with the European Union, media outlets reported.

The two countries have been embroiled in a border dispute since the breakup of the former Yugoslavia in 1991. The row has left Slovenia without access to the high seas. The showdown escalated last year, when Ljubljana blocked Croatia's accession talks with Brussels.

The two countries agreed last September to let an international arbitration commission resolve their dispute.

The Constitutional Court ruled that the arbitration deal was in line with Slovenia's constitution. The Slovenian parliament is now expected to ratify the deal, which has already been approved by Croatia.

Slovenia is the only former Yugoslav republic to have joined the European Union. Croatia hopes to conclude its accession talks this year and join in 2012.