A major dispute has erupted between Croatia and Slovenia over allegations of secret spying. Slovenia has accused its neighbor of using its intelligence agency to listen in on Slovenian officials during important discussions about their border dispute. However, Croatian officials have completely denied these claims.
Slovenian media have reported that a businessman with connections to the Croatian government tried to stop news outlets from reporting about the alleged spying. This has sparked outrage in Slovenia, where officials insist that external interference is unacceptable.
Croatian authorities have responded strongly, stating that their intelligence agency does not spy on other countries. They argue that their agency operates professionally and does not engage in illegal activities such as wiretapping foreign officials. A top security official called these allegations baseless and said there is “no chance” that agents would be involved in such activities.
Wiretapping Allegations and Slovenia’s Reaction
The accusations stem from a previous incident where Slovenian representatives claimed that foreign spies secretly recorded phone calls between a Slovenian judge and a government official. These recordings were reportedly used to discredit Slovenia’s position in a long-running border dispute.
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The border issue revolves around the Gulf of Piran, a body of water that both countries have claimed for years. In 2017, an international court ruled that most of the disputed area should belong to Slovenia. The court also granted Slovenia a corridor through neighboring waters to reach international waters. However, Croatian leaders have refused to accept this ruling and instead want fresh negotiations.
Tensions have been running high ever since Croatia withdrew from the arbitration process in 2015. Officials in Zagreb left the talks after it was discovered that Slovenian representatives had tried to influence the judges. This led to rejection of the court’s decision, while Slovenia insists that the ruling must be enforced.
Slovenia has now accused its neighboring country of using espionage to sabotage the arbitration process. Slovenian Prime Minister and officials claim that intelligence agencies wiretapped Slovenian negotiators to gain an advantage. Slovenian television reported that a businessman with ties to Croatian authorities attempted to block the media from reporting on the alleged spying. This has only added to the growing tensions between the two nations.
Political Fallout and Diplomatic Tensions
The latest accusations have caused a political firestorm, with Slovenia demanding answers. Slovenian politicians have urged international institutions to look into the matter, claiming that such actions violate diplomatic norms and legal agreements. Some have even suggested bringing the case before the European Union to seek justice.
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In response, Croatian officials continue to deny any involvement in spying. They argue that Slovenia is trying to shift attention away from its own past mistakes in the arbitration process. Security experts insist that their intelligence agency is highly professional and does not engage in illegal surveillance of foreign officials.
Despite these denials, the allegations have increased tensions between the two neighboring countries. Relations between the two EU nations have already been rocky due to the unresolved border dispute. The recent espionage claims have only made matters worse, making diplomatic negotiations even more difficult.
While both nations are part of the European Union, their disagreements over borders and espionage accusations highlight deep-seated mistrust. The controversy has drawn public attention, with media outlets in both countries closely following developments.
For now, Croatian leaders firmly reject Slovenia’s accusations, while Slovenia insists that it has proof of wrongdoing. The situation remains tense, with both sides standing their ground and refusing to back down.
