document: Language : Serbo-Croatian Article Type : BFN -LSB- Article by Verica Rudar : `` What Is Ljubljana 's Message for Belgrade ? '' -RSB- -LSB- Text -RSB- In the view of Yugoslav diplomats , the normalization of relations between Slovenia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will certainly be a strenuous and long-term project . Although the establishment of communications between Ljubljana and Belgrade would be very important for the situation in the former Yugoslavia in general , the chances that this could happen soon are minimal . A signal that relations between Yugoslavia and Slovenia might be reconsidered came this time from the Slovene capital . According to information published in the Yugoslav newspapers , the Slovene Government could be addressing this issue soon . The establishing of relations between the two states , the exchange of diplomatic representatives , and the abolition of the visa requirement for Yugoslav citizens are some of the topics to be considered . This information has not been denied and , apart from that , it is the logical conclusion to a series of statements issued by Slovene politicians , which pointed to a change in relations toward Belgrade . The announcement about the normalization of relations were also supported by information that an official Slovene delegation had arrived in Belgrade for this purpose , but it was stated that the details can not yet be published since the matter is very delicate . The FRY Ministry of Foreign Affairs is denying that any official Slovene delegation came to Belgrade . It is stated that this is rather a visit of businessmen , since these contacts have not been interrupted . It is assumed in the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Slovene businessmen might even be checking the atmosphere for possible political contacts , but there have been no official statements about it . Commercial contacts The signals from the Slovene side are being received in Yugoslavia with reservations . One could even say with distrust . Yugoslav diplomats point out that Yugoslavia has not been officially recognized by Slovenia . It is also true that Slovenia does not accept Yugoslavia on the international scene . Yugoslav sources claim that Slovenia is becoming increasingly isolated because of its extreme policy toward Yugoslavia , so that this might be one of the reasons why it has decided to `` soften '' its attitudes toward Yugoslavia . Official Belgrade has not forgotten `` the extremist , anti-Serbian statements issued by Milan Kucan in Albania '' or the moves made by Slovene statesmen who `` instead of soothing the passions , stirred them up , always to Serbia 's disadvantage . '' After reporters remarked that this relatively negative attitude might negate the unofficial signal from Ljubljana , a Yugoslav diplomat said : `` We do not think that there is only one opinion in Slovenia about Yugoslavia . Slovenia is the former Yugoslav republic that made the greatest effort to harm the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia . I am now speaking about the official Slovene attitude , not about the attitudes of all the politicians , and especially not about the attitudes of the Slovene people . '' Yugoslav diplomats have the impression that there are differences between Milan Kucan , the president of Slovenia , Lojze Peterle , the minister of foreign affairs , and Janez Drnovsek , the prime minister , the last being `` sober , realistic and trustworthy . '' The first signs of a change in the Slovene attitude toward Yugoslavia were noticed during the visit of Karolos Papoulias , the Greek foreign minister , and Vaclav Havel , the Czech president , to Slovenia , in November 1993 . Diplomatic Pirouettes At that time the press carried statements made by Milan Kucan and Lojze Peterle that unquestionably represented a shift in policy toward Belgrade . Kucan said that `` Slovenia never had any conflict with Serbia , '' and Peterle that `` Slovenia would be happy if the conditions for the removal of the sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro were fulfilled . '' At the beginning of December 1993 , Mr. Peterle , the Slovene minister of foreign affairs , made that attitude concrete in a letter to Warren Christopher , the U.S. secretary of state , in which he wrote : `` A possible removal of the sanctions against Yugoslavia is being fully considered since the aims for which they were introduced have not been achieved ... . The European Union initiative makes us hope that the situation in the Balkans can be solved . '' In the view of Slovene political commentators , the softening of the Slovene attitude toward the FRY is a part of the diplomatic tactics the aim of which is to adapt Slovene policy to the policy of the European Union , with which Slovenia is awaiting negotiations about associate membership . Belgrade diplomats agree with this assessment and claim that the first announcement of possible contacts between Yugoslavia and Slovenia were made by arrangement with Germany and Austria . In the focus of Serbian attention now are relations with Croatia , and as far as Slovenia is concerned , the official proposal for the normalization of relations has to be specified first . Single statements and `` diplomatic pirouettes '' are not enough to overcome the present differences , including the Slovene attitude toward Kosovo , the interruption of economic relations , the way Slovene independence was achieved by force , and diplomatic duels on the international scene . -LSB- Box , p 7 -RSB- Jovanovic : `` Slovenia Must Excuse Itself '' `` In order to enter the process of normalization of relations with Slovenia , certain conditions must be fulfilled first , '' Vladislav Jovanovic , FRY minister of foreign affairs , said in a statement for POLITIKA , and added : `` First it is necessary for Slovenia to excuse itself for the rude and impertinent move it made a year ago in refusing the Yugoslav offer of recognizing Slovenia . It is further necessary that the anti-Serbian campaign that Slovenia has been spreading all over the world is ended and that it acknowledges that those who remained in Yugoslavia have the right to self - determination . Apart from that , Slovenia must stop challenging the continuity of Yugoslavia as a state . Slovenia made a mistake by insisting that the FRY be excluded from all international forums . In addition , Slovenia supports the lifting of the arms embargo on the Bosnia - Herzegovina Muslims . There are many situations that prove that Slovenia has a hostile attitude toward Yugoslavia . We are not bothered that Slovenia is an independent state . On the contrary , while we lived together , we had excellent relations . That is why our surprise was great when the turnaround occurred . Yugoslavia is interested in good relations with all of its neighbors -- old and new alike . Slovenia is no exception . We can not account for the hostility that they have shown toward Yugoslavia and toward the people who are living in this region now . Official Slovenia should find ways and means to end this hostility . We are , of course , interested in normal relations between Slovenia and Yugoslavia , but some prerequisites have to be fulfilled , '' Jovanovic concluded his statement .
extractive_keyphrases: yugoslav diplomats federal republic slovene government slovene politicians possible political contacts slovene independence normalization official slovene delegation official belgrade slovene attitude
abstractive_keyphrases: anti-serbian campaign