Full and unreserved cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) remains the essential condition for further progress to the European Union, said the draft conclusions, which are to be adopted by the Council of Ministers in Brussels later today.
Croatia was not explicitly mentioned in the document, which mainly focused on Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Council called on the Bosnian Serb entity, Republika Srpska, to continue resolutely implementing the reforms necessary for opening talks on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
The Council of Ministers welcomed the measures taken by the international community's High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown, with a view to opening the road that would ensure the country's full cooperation with the ICTY.
The Council is expected to widen its measures to prevent the entry into or transit through EU territory of another nine persons accused by Ashdown of supporting indicted war criminals.