ZAGREB, Jan 19 (Hina) - Without a positive opinion of the InternationalCriminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), negotiations withCroatia will not start on March 17, but if everything goes well,Croatia could become an EU
member country in 2009, EuropeanEnlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told members of the EuropeanParliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.
ZAGREB, Jan 19 (Hina) - Without a positive opinion of the
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), negotiations
with Croatia will not start on March 17, but if everything goes well, Croatia
could become an EU member country in 2009, European Enlargement Commissioner
Olli Rehn told members of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign
Affairs on Tuesday.I have clearly said to our Croatian colleagues that Croatia must resolve
the issue of General Ante Gotovina, Rehn said. The time for meeting the March
17 deadline will soon run out, he stressed. Rehn met Croatia's delegation, led
by Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, in Brussels on Monday.
The Commission is permanently contacting the Hague tribunal and last
week Commission representatives held talks with ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del
Ponte who "expressed concern regarding Croatia's cooperation", the
commissioner said.
If all goes well, it is possible for Croatia to become an EU member in
2009 and set an example for western Balkan countries.