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Slovenians endorsed the border arbitration treaty with Croatia in a referendum on 6 June, meaning the ratification bill for the accord can take effect and the countries resolve their 20-year old border dispute.

Voters were asked whether the ratification bill of the treaty, which the National Assembly passed on 19 April, should take effect. Nearly 51.5% of voters backed it, while 48.5% voted against on a turnout of 42.28%, according to a preliminary count of nearly all ballots cast in Slovenia.

The treaty envisages a five-member tribunal that will take a binding decision on the sea border, which has never been set between Slovenia and Croatia, and on several disputed sections of the land border. It will become operational when Croatia has signed its EU accession treaty.

The National Electoral Commission will add to the tally votes cast by mail on Monday, and then wait for results from abroad before publishing the final unofficial results on 14 June. The official outcome will be released on 29 June.

Source: ukom.gov.si (Government Communication Office)

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