The EPP is convinced that the Croatian authorities are fully cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and taking the necessary measures to arrest the indicted General Ante Gotovina, read a resolution adopted on Thursday evening.
In the non-binding document, the EPP expressed concern that a negative decision on the start of membership talks with Croatia would have "a negative effect" on the stability of the region and would not award Croatia for the efforts it was making in several fields, including cooperation with the Hague tribunal.
The document was adopted at the proposal of three deputies of the German SDU party -- Elmar Brok, Michael Gahler and Doris Pack.
The EPP President, Wilfried Martens, voiced full support to the Ivo Sanader cabinet.