Croatian and Slovenian Prime Ministers said Friday that a solution for their ongoing border dispute could be found by the end of the year, Croatian media reported.

"We found a way and I am happy that we began discussing things which are in the interest of both countries," Croatian Premier Jadranka Kosor said after meeting Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor.

"There is a possibility for us to solve the problems of both countries - Croatia's entry into the European Union and a solution of the border issue," Pahor said.
The premiers did not give any details and have emphasized that further talks would be as discreet as possible.

The long-running border row over a patch of land and access to the Adriatic Sea caused EU member Slovenia to block Croatia's accession talks with the EU earlier this year. The row dates back to 1991 when both seceded from then Yugoslavia. The dispute centres on the mutual border at the coastal town of Piran and with it access rights to the Adriatic.