Croatia's chief negotiator with the European Union, Vladimir Drobnjak, said on Wednesday that the European Commission's interim report on the progress of Croatia in meeting the benchmarks in the Judiciary and Fundamental Rights chapter was "good and beneficial", adding that "the very high grades that we have been given" left open the possibility of concluding accession negotiations in June.
"The report is good because it says that significant progress has been made, ... and such a high grade means that the government's efforts have been recognised and praised," Drobnjak said at a press conference.
"It is also beneficial, because it clearly specifies what more Croatia needs to do in Chapter 23, namely it must prove that it has a functioning legal and institutional framework," he added.
"By following the clear guidelines, in cooperation with the Commission, the goal (of concluding accession negotiations in June) is feasible," Drobnjak said, expressing hope that the next report would be "final".
A Croatian diplomatic source said that Croatia was pleased that the Commission had released its report earlier than expected because it gave Zagreb "additional time" to meet the remaining requirements.
"We have a list specifying what we must do. The more precise a list, the easier it is to fulfil it," the diplomat said, citing the issue of appointment of judges and public prosecutors.
As for the issue of war crimes prosecution, which is mentioned in the report, the diplomat said that Croatia was required to reinforce specialised war crimes departments at four county courts.
When asked if new indictments could be expected against Croatian veterans, the diplomat said that the European Commission did not specify the ethnicity of possible war criminals, adding that, just like in the case of combating corruption, the Commission did not mention any figures but called for effective action.
