"We spoke yesterday evening and continued to talk again today and we will continue to do so until we find a solution so that we can get out of this situation which is awkward for both countries. Without going into detail, we have to resolve practical problems in this entire procedure and I expect that it will be completed within a month or a month and a half," Milanovic said at the end of a two-day EU summit in Brussels.

"This will require trust between the two sides and we won't be able to resolve it simply as a legal issue as this is also a political problem that has been burdening us for 20 years," he added.

Milanovic said that he was sure that a solution would be found as both countries wanted to see Croatia as the 28th EU member state.

"In the end the solution will not be entirely the way we want it nor will it be completely how they want it, that's how it goes in diplomacy. It's unimportant what I believe to be right, I am here to defend Croatia's interest and together with members of my Cabinet we are working the best we can so that both Croatia and Slovenia are satisfied and we finally get out of this awkward situation," he said.

The PM said that he was prepared to talk to parliament about this when the time came but that this was a matter for the government.

He also commented on the matter of the sea border between Slovenia and Croatia saying that it was up to international experts to deal with the matter. Our position is well known and that is the recommendation of the Badinter commission which is based on the principle of equidistance and which is to be decided by arbitration. The arbitration has two tasks, to determine the frontier on land and sea according to international law and then determine a so-called junction and a regime for the use of those waters according to principles of equity, good neighbourly relations and international law, Milanovic said.