Rehn, who was on a visit to Zagreb on Saturday and Sunday, told Croatian Television that Croatia was a country with political stability, firm democracy and solid economic development. "But there are shortcomings in the field of the rule of law," Rehn said. The main challenge for Croatia is judiciary and public administration reform, the commissioner said, adding that the solving of the issue of the return of refugees and minority rights was equally important.
"We expect Croatia to maintain full cooperation with the Hague tribunal," Rehn said.
Asked where did the sudden change in the approach of ICTY chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte come from regarding the assessment of Zagreb's cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Rehn said del Ponte's positions must be taken seriously.
"She is a woman of a very high integrity," Rehn said adding that the chief prosecutor assessed Croatia was fully cooperating with the tribunal. I welcome her assessment very warmly," the commissioner said, adding that it paved the way to the opening of the country's EU entry talks.
Rehn also commented on Croatia's economy by saying that it was relatively strong in comparison with EU candidate countries Romania and Bulgaria. He said that a dynamic business atmosphere in Croatia was favourable for the development of entrepreneurship.