Delegation Head Vincent Degert was quoted as saying that "these incidents are against EU values of rule of law and tolerance".
Calling on the Croatian authorities, political forces and civil society "to take initiatives to prevent as much as possible the occurrence of similar events," Degert said that the police and the judiciary should tackle the latest incident "in an effective and efficient fashion". The EC official added that "legislation should be developed such that there are no longer loopholes and impunity is avoided."
According to the press release, "these issues will be discussed and monitored closely in the EU accession process".
Reiterating that the Croatian authorities, political forces and the civil society should do their utmost so as to help prevent similar incidents in the future, the press release reads that "in this respect, the Head of Delegation commended the leadership shown by President Mesic and took note of the statements of Government representatives".
The incident occurred in early morning hours of Tuesday when four Serb returnees' houses were stoned and a fire was set in one yard. The firefighters and the police intervened swiftly and four perpetrators whom the police described as being under the influence of alcohol were arrested.
President Stjepan Mesic and the Croatian Government most harshly condemned the incident yesterday.
What the perpetrators did by stoning houses of Serb returnees and setting a fire "is a direct attack against the declared policy of promoting coexistence and creating prerequisites for a secure and safe return of all who left Croatia during the war", the Office of the President stated in a press release on Tuesday.
The Ivo Sanader Cabinet also on Tuesday most vehemently condemned the incident. Spokesman Ratko Macek said four suspects were arrested thanks to timely and swift police action, and that the government expected appropriate punishment.
Today, the National Minorities Council joined in condemnation of the incident adding that it was not only the attack against Serb returnees but also against the policy of the Croatian Government in efforts to build a system of the protection of ethnic minorities' rights.
The Council expressed satisfaction with the rapid and energetic reaction of Croatia's top officials as well as with the efficient efforts of the police.
Croatian political parties, including the Social Liberal (HSLS) and the Democratic Centre slammed the incident.