Date of release : 21-02-2005

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

Event : General Affairs and External Relations Council

At the "General Affairs and External Relations" Council of 21 February 2005, Jean Asselborn, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and current President of the Council of the European Union, stated the position of the European Union on the subject of Croatia. After the meeting of the Ministers, President Asselborn declared: "The Council has had a new exchange of views on Croatia, and more specifically, on Croatia's cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)." Minister Asselborn emphasised that the Ministers "adopted conclusions stating the position of the European Union on this matter. To open the negotiations, it will be necessary to be able to confirm by 17 March that Croatia will fully cooperate with the ICTY. There can be no ambiguity whatsoever on this matter."

Jean Asselborn stated that the analysis of the Prosecutor of the ICTY, Carla del Ponte, "is also completely unambiguous."

According to the Minister, "there is less than one month remaining before the date set for opening accession negotiations with Croatia. The Commission presented its proposal on the framework for negotiation and the authority of the Council to carry them out. Everything is ready to begin the negotiations on the date set."

"But", concluded Jean Asselborn, "I must also add that Zagreb must make every effort to allow us to confirm no later than 16 March that Croatia's cooperation with the ICTY has been fully certified. There can be no surprises: it is only under this condition that negotiations can be opened."