BRUSSELS, Feb 24 (Hina) - The European Commission has refuted allegations that it has made any decision pertaining to its opinion (the so-called avis) on Croatia's application for membership in the European Union.
BRUSSELS, Feb 24 (Hina) - The European Commission has refuted
allegations that it has made any decision pertaining to its opinion
(the so-called avis) on Croatia's application for membership in the
European Union.#L#
I have seen some speculation in the Croatian media that the Commission
decided to draft a conditional avis. We have not yet made any
decision, this is mere speculation, Emma Udwin, a spokeswoman for the
Commissioner for External Relations, told Hina on Tuesday.
Udwin said the Commission was still working on the elaboration of the
avis whose announcement could be expected in spring.
In recent days the Croatian media have reported that the European
Commission will opt for a conditional but positive avis as possible
compromise that can be satisfactory for all EU member-states and that
would also be realistic in the assessment of Croatia's progress.
The media have speculated that the Commission would give a positive
avis but would suggest to the EU Council to launch negotiations with
Zagreb on full membership only after the fulfillment of the remaining
political criteria, namely the solution of the fugitive General Ante
Gotovina, wanted by the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
(Hina) ms