(ANSA) - ZAGREB, FEBRUARY 26 - Croatia's newly elected president, social democrat Zoran Milanovic, who swore his oath of office on February 18, will be in Slovenia tomorrow for the first international visit in his five-year term.

Milanovic will meet the Slovenian President Borut Pahor with whom he will have bilateral talks.

Milanovic's choice has a symbolic value given that between the two former Yugoslav countries there are some unresolved issues, especially the dispute on the maritime border in the north Adriatic Sea. Slovenia insists on the full application of the outcome of the 2017 international arbitration which awarded Slovenia 3/4 of the Piran Bay, in the Gulf of Trieste. Croatia, however, does not recognize this verdict, claiming that the decision-making process of the international referees was influenced by improper Slovenian pressure.

During the election campaign, Milanovic has repeatedly said that he considers Slovenia, besides Italy and Austria, as Croatia's closest friendly country and a crucial ally in the EU.

He added that he was bound to work to restore a good relationship with Ljubljana.

Being aware of the complexity of the border dispute, Milanovic suggested a status quo situation that could last for decades as a possible solution. (ANSA).