Rogic and Arhar, appointed by their respective governments to try and reach a solution to the savings deposited in that bank's branch in Zagreb when the two countries were still part of Yugoslav federation, held their third round of talks in the Slovenian lake-side resort of Bled on Thursday and after their meeting said they were hopeful that a solution acceptable to both countries would be found.

While seeking a solution with help of the BIS, we are willing to continue to be available, the Slovenian expert said.

According to Arhar, this will be one more attempt to finding a solution with the assistance of the Basel-based bank, with Arhar and Rogic trying to persuade other countries-successors to the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), that signed a succession agreement in Vienna in 2001, to accept such negotiations. A previous attempt failed.

As for lawsuits lodged in Croatia against the Ljubljanska Banka, Arhar downplayed the tones in recent messages of top Slovenian officials and said that the lawsuits were not new so "they should not hamper dialogue concerning the problem of the Ljubljanska Banka".

"These lawsuits as such cannot be an obstacle to the continuation of the process", Arhar said.

Top Slovenian politicians have said they expect the Croatian government to withdraw its powers of attorney to the Croatian banks Zagrebacka Banka and Privredna Banka Zagreb for lawsuits against Ljubljanska Banka before Croatian courts as they believe, they were granted in violation of Croatia's international commitments.

Rogic said that the relations between him and Arhar were excellent and that both were willing to continue seeking a solution.

The aim is to find an acceptable solution for both sides and we should seek common points, the Croatian expert said.

The next round of the Rogic-Arhar talks might be held in two weeks, according to unofficial reports.