Regarding recent statements by Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel

Regarding the recent statements by Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, saying that Croatia and Serbia should get equal treatment in the EU negotiations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia would like to describe said statements as incorrect and unfounded.

Croatia initialled the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU on 14 May 2001 – before the issuing of the indictment against General Ante Gotovina on 26 July. The SAA was signed in October 2001 and only after a positive report by the ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte. After the signing of the SAA, Croatia has been diligently fulfilling the obligations stemming from the Agreement, and continued its full co-operation with the Hague Tribunal.

In light of the abovestated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration is surprised to hear such statements coming from a high official of a neighbouring and future European Council’s presiding country, who should be well familiar with said facts.