The European Commission is in contact with the Croatian authorities regarding the dispute over the implementation of the European Arrest Warrant in Croatia and the issue was not on the agenda of Wednesday's meeting of the European Commission, according to a Commission spokeswoman.
Consultations are under way with the Croatian authorities. Last week we received guarantees, including those from the prime minister, about Croatia's intentions. I cannot tell you anything more given that consultations are under way, spokeswoman Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen told the media, answering inquiries whether today's meting of the Commission discussed the EAW application in Croatia.
A spokeswoman for Commission Vice-President and Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding said ten days ago that Reding would acquaint Commission members with the Croatian legislation regarding the EAW application at the first session of the European Union's executive on 4 September.
In the meantime Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic and Justice Minister Orsat Miljenic sent replies to Commissioner Reding announcing Croatia's intention to amend the Croatian legislation on the EAW in order to bring it into accord with the European Union's acquis communautaire.
On 28 June, Croatia's parliament changed the legislation on cooperation in judicial matters. The amended law is dubbed Lex Perkovic by opponents and critics of the existing law who believe that the changes introducing a time limit for the application of the EAW for crimes committed after August 2002 were adopted in order to prevent the extradition of Josip Perkovic, a Yugoslav-era secret agent, to Germany where he is wanted for his role in the 1986 assassination of a Croatian dissident in Bavaria.
In July, Reding warned Croatia that the law passed on 28 June was contrary to the European legislation and should be rectified.
