All 48 deputies of the ruling coalition who attended the session voted in favour, while opposition parties boycotted the vote, saying that the ruling majority limited the time for debate.

Before the vote, the MPs were once again addressed by Prime Minister Borut Pahor and Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar.

Zbogar rejected as untrue claims by the opposition parties that Slovenia would only get unimpeded access to international waters.

Slovenia already has the right of unimpeded access, and the task of the arbitration tribunal is to determine Slovenia's contact with the high seas, Zbogar said.

Pahor said that in signing the arbitration agreement his government took into account vital national interests, the benefit of future generations and the stability of relations with the neighbouring countries.