"The changes have come about because of the internal political situation in Slovenia, as far as we are concerned, we are remaining steadfast on our position. The Slovenian side has said that it will continue with talks as far as content is concerned, the only thing is that a new person will be involved in the negotiation process", Minister Pusic said in Brussels after meeting with her Bosnian counterpart Zlatko Lagumdzija and EU enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele.

Slovenia's PM Janez Jansa said earlier on Friday that Slovenia's delegation would be led by state-secretary in his cabinet, Ambassador Tone Kajzer, at the negotiations and that Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec would no longer participate in the negotiations. A press release from PM Jansa's office said that "due to his repeated statements in public" about his party withdrawing from the government and vacating his ministerial position, Erjavec could jeopardise the negotiations over the Ljubljanska Banka issue.

Asked whether she would continue to represent the Croatian side in negotiations, Minister Pusic said that "whoever represents the Slovenian side will negotiate with me".

She said that these changes in Slovenia should not impact negotiations. "It is important that whoever is involved in the negotiations is in constant communication with their own premier and government," she said.

As far as Croatia is concerned, we are for continuation and as far as I see so is Slovenia", said Pusic.