Five Croatian Conditions for Serbia: No Progress Without Their Fulfillment

Although it was mentioned that Croatia might, at the last minute, withhold support for opening chapters 23 and 24 with Serbia, these chapters were opened yesterday at the intergovernmental conference in Brussels, writes Jutarnji, reported by NAP.

The formal procedure for opening was completed earlier, so yesterday at the intergovernmental conference in Brussels, these chapters, which could not be opened during the Dutch presidency of the Union precisely because of Croatia's withheld support, were only officially opened. Many diplomats in the EU assessed this as an important day on Serbia's path to the EU because the most important chapter, often called the "mother of all chapters" as it concerns justice and fundamental rights, was opened. It was precisely in this chapter that Croatia insisted on incorporating formulations that would require Serbia to resolve certain issues that Croatia considers its national interest.

- We could have requested a postponement, but we wanted to be constructive. We are convinced that the implementation of obligations from the Serbian side, which we have incorporated into the negotiation process, will enable that country the rule of law and a European face, and this will also help create healthy foundations for long-term stable relations between Croatia and Serbia, believe officials in the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Croatia will insist on the implementation of 5 conditions as transitional benchmarks, and an assessment will be made every six months.

- Serbia will not be able to progress if it does not fulfill its obligations. And it is in our interest for Serbia to progress because that will also be a sign that our conditions have been accepted and realized, state officials in this ministry.

Croatia demands that Serbia ensure victims of war access to justice without discrimination, which also means the possibility of compensation for all war victims. The Serbian side has interpreted this as a request for war reparations, and so far, there have been no reactions from Serbia regarding this Croatian demand. Croatia demands that Serbia avoid jurisdictional conflicts and discrimination of legal systems when applying the controversial law on universal jurisdiction. This means that Serbia will not be able to act arbitrarily, nor prosecute Croatian citizens. A review of Serbian legislation is also requested, and Croatia almost requested a postponement after the reaction of the Serbian prosecutor who stated that Serbia has no intention of changing the law and that investigations against Croatian defenders will continue.

- When it comes to this demand of ours, which has also entered the negotiation process, we will be very strict, and Serbia will not be able to progress if it does not adhere to what we have requested, say Croatian diplomats.

Croatia also requires constant Serbian cooperation with Croatian state bodies to clarify the fate of the missing, and full cooperation from Serbia with The Hague. The latest example of three individuals whom Belgrade refused to extradite, some of whom have since become MPs in the National Assembly, is an example of a lack of cooperation. Croatia's fifth demand relates to the application of the existing legal framework for the protection of minority rights. For official Zagreb, this means that Serbia must amend its election law so that the Croatian minority receives a guaranteed seat in the National Assembly.

Officials in the MFA believe that insisting on these five conditions is a "good job" for Croatia and that it is a prerequisite for improving relations between Croatia and Serbia.

- We will have mechanisms for maximum protection of Croatian citizens, and Croatian diplomats will be in constant contact with the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs. Croatia is convinced that everything that is now being requested will also be included in the benchmarks for closing chapter 23 with Serbia, and that there have been many disinformation campaigns in the Serbian media recently about the true state of affairs.

- It is not in our interest to act triumphantly; we just want a clear account and long-lasting love. We also expect the Serbian side not to launch disinformation about "Serbia as the winner," but rather for Serbia to get to work, assert officials in the Croatian MFA.