The European Commission on Wednesday declined to comment on allegations according to which EU Enlargement Commission Stefan Fuele took part in a debate at Columbia University in the United States, at the invitation of former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, saying that the commissioner accepted the invitation from the U.S. university to give a talk.
The commissioner accepted the invitation of one of the most prestigious universities in the United States to give a talk and use this opportunity to present the European Union's opinion and vision of the enlargement policy and policy towards neighbours. The Commission generally does not comment on allegations, spokeswoman for Fuele, Angela Filote said, when asked if the commissioner was aware of corruption allegations against Sanader.
The Commission, however, closely follows the developments in Croatia, notably those referring to the judiciary and fundamental rights, Filote said.
According to the Croatian media, Fuele gave a talk at the invitation of Ivo Sanader who is a science associate at the Harriman Institute at Columbia and who is at the helm of the newly founded science group on the completion of the integration of Southeast Europe into the European Union.
The European parliament's Rapporteur on Croatia, Hannes Swoboda, declined to directly comment on the allegations.
I had excellent relations with Sanader and nobody should be accused of wrongdoings until solid evidence is shown. On the other hand, the incumbent government has our support, Swoboda said.
