ZAGREB/BRUSSELS, Oct 3 (Hina) - The European Commission (EC) regrets that the Croatian government has proposed that parliament establish a protected zone in the Adriatic, but reiterates that Croatia has the indisputable right to
proclaim such a zone, Croatian Radio said on Friday.
ZAGREB/BRUSSELS, Oct 3 (Hina) - The European Commission (EC)
regrets that the Croatian government has proposed that parliament
establish a protected zone in the Adriatic, but reiterates that
Croatia has the indisputable right to proclaim such a zone,
Croatian Radio said on Friday. #L#
Brussels has already called on Zagreb to wait with a decision to
that effect and not to make it without prior agreement with
neighbours, said Emma Udwin, spokeswoman for European commissioner
for external affairs Chris Patten, expressing regret over the
decision.
The office of European commissioner for fisheries and agriculture
Franz Fischler reiterates that Croatia's right to proclaim a
protected zone is indisputable since it is envisaged by
international law.
The EC cannot pass judgement in this matter but only suggest that
interested parties reach an agreement, office spokesman Gregor
Kreuzhuber told Croatian Radio.
He confirmed receipt of a strongly-worded letter from Rome voicing
hope Croatian authorities would avoid making decisions which
raised tensions and would adhere to joint solutions.
Fischler is preparing a reply, the spokesman said, adding that the
EC would assume the role of political and expert arbiter only if
both sides in the dispute requested so, according to state radio.
(hina) ha sb