Croatia Blocking Serbia’s EU Accession Negotiations

Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs confirms the decision to block Serbia.

Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs will not give the green light to Serbia to open EU accession negotiations in Chapters 23 and 24 as long as Serbia does not repeal the controversial law on universal jurisdiction, report Večernji List and Jutarnji List on March 19, 2016.

“We support Serbia’s efforts to move closer to the EU. The conditions which Serbia must meet to open the important Chapter 23 of the accession negotiations are, among others, respect for human rights (especially minority rights) in accordance with international conventions and ratified international agreements, the full cooperation with the International War Crimes Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and judicial reform which includes the abolition of jurisdiction to prosecute war crimes in the entire territory of the former Yugoslavia”, said the Ministry in a statement.

The law on universal jurisdiction has been a controversial point in the Croatian-Serbian relations since Serbia adopted it in 2003. Croatia believes that with such a law Serbia has tried to become a sort of “mini-Hague” which would have the right to prosecute anyone. Former Justice Minister Orsat Miljenić also demanded the repeal of the law.

Serbia’s Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimović said on Friday that the country was still waiting for approval from Croatia for its negotiating positions on Chapter 23.

This is the second issue in recent days which has brought into question Croatia’s support for Serbia’s continued accession negotiation. The decision of the Hague Tribunal to allow Vojislav Šešelj not to be present at his verdict announcement has caused a stir in Croatia as well. Deputy Prime Minister Petrov accused Serbia of not wanting to force Šešelj who is in Serbia to go to the Hague. Prime Minister Orešković said on Friday: “We all know that Serbia wants to start negotiations to become a new member of the EU. I am convinced that Serbia will make the right choice.” It seems that with this short statement, Croatian Prime Minister decided to send a message to Serbia regarding the negotiations with the EU if there is no complete cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and President of the National Council for Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal Rasim Ljajić said, after comments by Croatian officials about the Šešelj case, that he expected that Croatia would start conditioning Serbia’s progress towards the European Union.

 

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