"We have given the judiciary at all levels the full responsibility that belongs to it. That is why we want to amend the Constitution and remove the statute of limitations on politically motivated and all first degree murders just like several European countries have that serve as our models", the prime minister said to the Sabor where he is giving his first address on the state of the nation and of the government's activities.

"Let the judiciary deal with these crimes, regardless of who the perpetrator is and who the victim is", said Milanovic.

He called on the judicial system to "carry its responsibility with dignity", adding that only in that way could it become the point of the highest trust by Croatian citizens.

He reiterated that attempts to set a time limit on the law on judicial cooperation in criminal matters with European Union member states, dubbed Lex Perkovic, was not motivated to protect perpetrators of crimes.

"Our only motive was to protect our Homeland Defence War veterans from possible criminal proceedings in some EU country", he said specifying that he was referring to procedures for war crimes which fall under universal jurisdiction.

He stressed that Croatia's judiciary had to have access to evidence for all crimes and to punish the perpetrators. All reports and possible news of perpetrators of war crimes, he said, must be investigated but above all, before Croatian judicial bodies because "these are our crimes and our drama, like this they are turning into a farce".

He claimed that with this approach, Croatia would not be jeopardised or punished in any way.

We, he announced, will launch that debate in Europe and point out the inequality between member states with regard to judicial cooperation, they who agree, agree that their country be treated as a second rate country, he said.

"That's how I see membership to the EU and I will fight for that, and if need be even more stubbornly and ardently", he said.

The prime minister is convinced that the initiative to amend the constitution and set up a parliamentary investigation commission will facilitate the processing and shed light on some circumstances for the most serious crimes and "drag out some actors to the surface who are now hiding behind the screen of all this hustle and bustle".

"We are not protecting criminals. We are protecting the weak", he said. He added that he will never allow Croatia's judiciary to be considered to be inferior to any other.

The European Arrest Warrant is an instrument of a single space of freedom, justice and law in the European Union and not an instrument of priority for any country ahead of any other. The idea is not to judge in Croatia or Sweden but anywhere.

As this is our drama, its final act should be in Croatia, Milanovic underscored.