Berlin - Slovenia hopes EU mediation will help resolve its border dispute with Croatia, Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor said Tuesday after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Finland's former president Martti Ahtisaari, who mediated in the Kosovo dispute, has been proposed to head the demarcation talks.

The border issue, which dates back to 1991 when the two republics declared independence from Yugoslavia, has stalled attempts by Croatia to move towards EU membership.

Ljubljana,- Slovenia's parliament on Friday endorsed youthful centre-left leader Borut Pahor as the nation's new prime minister.

Pahor, 45, has pledged to focus on the small European Union nation's economy.

He won 59 votes in the 90-seat parliament, becoming the sixth prime minister since Slovenia won independence from Yugoslavia after a brief 1991 war.

Pahor's Social Democrats won the most seats in September parliamentary elections and will lead a four-party coalition government.

Ljubljana - Slovenian centre-left leader Borut Pahor was formally tapped as prime minister-elect Monday and pledged to focus on the economy as the tiny European Union nation faces tougher times.

Pahor's Social Democrats won the most votes in September 21 parliamentary elections and were expected to lead a four-party coalition government with 55 seats in the 
90-member parliament.

Pahor, speaking after President Danilo Tuerk formally nominated him to head the next government, pledged to work to stabilize the economy.