Apart from the Gotovina issue, Croatia "in many ways is much more qualified to join the EU" than Bulgaria and Romania, according to Lars Christensen, one of 34 analysts from eminent financial and economic institutions around the EU which commented for Reuters the prospects of some countries' accession to the Union.
These analysts believe Croatia could join the EU in 2010, although the year they mention ranges from 2008 to 2015.
Most analysts believe that following the rejection of the European Constitution in France and the Netherlands, countries which have not begun accession negotiations, like Croatia or Serbia, will have an ever tougher time in joining the EU.
Sixteen of 30 analysts said the rejection of the constitution, often put down to citizens' objections to further enlargement, represented a threat also for Bulgaria and Romania.
Reuters said Serbia too must do a lot more so as to arrest war criminals.
"The EU looks unwilling to press ahead with enlargement, therefore Croatia and Serbia/Montenegro will have to wait," said Zsolt Papp at ABN AMRO in London.