Prevlaka

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The cape Oštro on Prevlaka Peninsula

Prevlaka is a small peninsula in southern Croatia, at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor in the eastern Adriatic. The word prevlaka means isthmus. The cape Oštro, located at the tip of the peninsula, is the southernmost point of mainland in Croatia.

The peninsula was once subject to a dispute. Following the independence of Croatia, arguments broke out between itself and the new FR Yugoslavia, as Prevlaka borders Montenegro. This is mainly because of the strategic position and the proximity of a major naval base within the Bay of Kotor.

Talks to resolve the issue began in 2002, with the descrepancy now involving Serbia and Montenegro. It is in the process of resolution, following negotiations between Croatia and Montenegro. The two parties have agreed to refer the case to the International Court of Justice.^[1]

[edit] History

The peninsula, like the other parts of the Dubrovnik Republic, became part of the republic of Croatia after World War II, when Yugoslavia's internal divisions were redefined. Cape Oštro was the southernmost land point of the Socialist Republic of Croatia.

Vicinity of Prevlaka peninsula

During the Yugoslav wars that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia, the territory was occupied by Yugoslav forces like most of the Dubrovnik region in the siege of Dubrovnik. The Croatian army pushed them back at one point but they retained control over Prevlaka. The two sides agreed on the demilitarization of the peninsula and the UN Security Council resolution 779 of the October 6th 1992 extended the mandate of the UNPROFOR to the implementation of this agreement, together with the European Community Monitoring Mission.

The conflict was finally starting to get resolved in 1996 when the United Nations mediated the conflict and set up an observer mission (UNMOP) which oversaw the demilitarization and acted as a buffer.

The mission ended in December 2002 and the territory previously part of SR Croatia was returned to the Republic of Croatia. An agreement was signed by both sides five days before the departure of the UNMOP that demilitarized Prevlaka and effectively made it a neutral territory, though implementation is still not complete.