Will Balkan neighbours become good friends?
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Slovenians have narrowly voted to accept independent arbitration in a decades-old border dispute with next-door neighbour Croatia, clearing the way for Zagreb to complete EU membership talks and potentially sign on the dotted line by 2012.
In yesterday's referendum 51.5 percent of Slovenians voted in favour of sending the dispute over the land and sea border around Bay of Piran, on the Adriatic coast, to international arbitration.
Brussels welcomed the news, as Slovenia - the only part of former Yugoslavia to have joined the EU so far - had been blocking Croatia’s membership ambitions, saying it would not allow progress until the border dispute had been resolved.
The border row dates back to the two countries' declaration of independence from Yugoslavia 19 years ago. The Bay of Piran is Slovenia's only tiny bit of coastline and historically Ljubljana feared that Croatia would restrict its access to international waters if it were to recognise any part of its neighbour's claim.
The issue will now go to an independent international tribunal, with both sides having agreed to abide by the outcome.
Slovenians only narrowly voted in favour of arbitration, but Euranet's correspondent Michael Manske says many people there - particularly those living near the disputed area - are glad that the long-running row will now finally be settled.
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