(Vatican Radio) The European Commission has warned Croatia that it will face sanctions
unless it applies EU extradition law. The threat comes shortly after the heavily Catholic
nation joined the European Union on July 1st as the 28th member state.
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to Stefan Bos' report...
The European
Commission, the EU's executive, said Croatia could face cuts in the crucial financial
aid it is expecting to receive from the European Union. Discussions may also be delayed
on the Balkan nation's entry into the borderless Schengen travel zone. European
officials say the threat of legal action is in response to Croatia's refusal to respect
EU extradition legislation.
Days before entry into the European Union, Zagreb
changed its laws to prevent authorities from extraditing suspects of crimes committed
before 2002. This has already led to tensions with Germany, one of the EU's largest
contributors. The German government asked Croatia to hand-over the alleged ex-spy
Josip Perkovic, who is sought over a communist-era assassination, when Croatia was
part of Yugoslavia. He allegedly was involved in killing dissident Stjepan Djurekovic
30 years ago in what was then West Germany. Croatian Prime Minister, Zoran
Milanovic claimed in his words "to respect the arrest warrant", but he also demanded
a broader debate on the subject within member states. European Commission spokesperson,
Mina Andreeva, says Croatia's lack of cooperation violates EU principles. The “infringement
of EU law goes at the heart of European judicial cooperation," she said. "That is
why Vice-President Viviane Reding will therefore bring this matter to the attention
of the entire College of Commissioners next week at the first formal meeting,” Andreeva
added. EU officials are also concerned that Croatia is seeking to protect war
crimes suspects of its 1991 to 1995 bloody war for independence, from facing prosecution
in other member states. Thousands of people died in that conflict.