Croatia-Slovenia Border Dispute Flashcards
(14 cards)
What territories are contested in the Croatia–Slovenia border dispute?
land and maritime borders, especially over Piran Bay
When did the Croatia–Slovenia border dispute originate?
breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991, when both Slovenia and Croatia became independent, but no formal border demarcation existed.
Why is control over Piran Bay significant?
Provides Slovenia with direct access to international waters
How did the EU influence the Croatia–Slovenia border dispute?
Slovenia blocked Croatia’s EU accession negotiations in 2008, using the dispute as leverage.
What did the 2009 agreement between Croatia and Slovenia involve?
agreed to submit the dispute to international arbitration, facilitated by the European Commission, with a permanent tribunal to resolve it.
What controversy occurred during the arbitration process?
2015: revealed Slovenian judge and agent had improper contact, violating neutrality. Croatia withdrew, claiming process tainted, Slovenia continued to participate.
What did the Permanent Court of Arbitration rule in 2017?
granted Slovenia a corridor through Croatian waters. Croatia rejected
How did Croatia respond to the 2017 arbitration decision?
declared the ruling non-binding, citing the compromised process, and refused to implement it.
What steps did Slovenia take after Croatia rejected the ruling?
Croatia was violating international law and tried to pursue EU legal action for non-compliance. Rejected for lack of jurisdiction
How does Liberalism explain the dispute?
dispute shows interdependence and how EU conditionality influences state behavior.
How would Realism interpret this conflict?
views the dispute as a sovereignty and strategic interest issue—states prioritize territorial control and maritime access over multilateral solutions when national interest is at stake.
What would a Constructivist say about the dispute?
national identity, post-Yugoslav historical narratives, and the symbolic importance of borders in shaping how Slovenia and Croatia define themselves post-independence.
Has the Croatia–Slovenia border dispute been fully resolved?
No. Croatia refuses to recognize the arbitration award, while Slovenia insists on its implementation
What are the broader regional implications of the dispute?
delayed Croatia’s EU accession, and it undermines EU credibility in resolving internal border conflicts.
