"There have been no changes. There remains the request for closer cooperation with the Hague tribunal. I think that the member-states will not back down or change their mind on the matter," Rupel told Croatian reporters.
He said that the issue of Croatia, which was not an official item on the agenda of today's meeting of the Council of Ministers in Brussels, was discussed informally during a break in the meeting.
The Council of Ministers will have its last discussion on Croatia the day before the scheduled start of the entry talks in Brussels on March 16, Rupel said.
He reiterated that Slovenia wanted Croatia to remove obstacles to the start of its entry talks as soon as possible and that it was willing to help in the process.
At the end of their regular monthly meeting, EU foreign ministers are expected to adopt conclusions calling on Croatia to take the necessary steps to establish full cooperation with the Hague tribunal and reiterate that the remaining indictee has to be located as soon as possible and transferred to The Hague.
On March 16, the EU Council will decide whether Croatia's EU entry talks will start on March 17 as scheduled or be postponed.