He added, however, that a different trade regime would go into force on 1 January 2013, bringing big changes in the sale of agricultural products on the Bosnian market. He said this was a warning message that required an immediate response.

The Speaker of the Bundestag, Norbert Lammert, on Sunday called for a halt to the EU enlargement process, including the planned accession of Croatia, saying it was not ready for entry, but German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said shortly thereafter he was confident that Croatia would join the EU as planned.

Earlier today, Kacin's superior, European Parliament Speaker Martin Schulz, told Reuters the date set for Croatia's EU entry, 1 July 2013, should not be touched.

The latest report by the European Commission on Croatia's progress has partly been critical concerning the country's reforms, Schulz told Reuters, adding that "there are a few points which must be improved".

Clear agreements have been concluded with Croatia. I hold: 'Pacta sunt servanda'. Therefore Croatia must get its date of admission, Schulz was quoted as saying.

German Economy Minister Philipp Roesler told the RuhrNachrichten newspaper today he was positive that Croatia would carry out its tasks in time for its entry into the EU on 1 July 2013.