§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are confident that Croatia will meet the necessary conditions for membership of the European Union; and whether they are confident that membership talks will start on 17 March, as decided by the European Council in December 2004. [HL1284]
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§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe UK fully supports Croatia's European Union aspirations and would like to see negotiations open on 17 March envisaged in the European Council conclusions in December 2004. However, the conclusions made explicit reference to the need for full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in order for negotiations to begin. The most recent assessment delivered by the Chief Prosecutor of the ICTY on 23 November assessed that co-operation could not be considered full until the indicted war criminal, Ante Gotovina, is located and transferred to The Hague. Croatia must therefore take all necessary steps before 17 March to ensure the opening of accession negotiations.
§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether full co-operation with the International War Crimes Tribunal remains the main condition that must be fulfilled before negotiations between the European Union and Croatia can begin. [HL1285]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanIn December 2004, the European Council agreed that accession negotiations could begin, "provided that Croatia was fully co-operating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)". It is therefore incumbent upon the Government of Croatia to take all possible measures to ensure that Ante Gotovina is located and transferred to The Hague. This will remove any remaining obstacles to the opening of accession negotiations.
§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
What recent representations they have received from the main prosecutor of the International War Crimes Tribunal concerning Croatia's co-operation with the tribunal. [HL1286]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe UK Government maintain regular contact with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and with the Office of the Prosecutor in the course of fulfilling our own responsibilities under a Chapter VII Security Council Resolution (UNSCR 827 passed on 25 May 1993), to provide full support to the work of the tribunal. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, we have heard the Chief Prosecutor's report of 23 November 2004, in which she assessed that "it was of paramount importance for the completion strategy and for the overall achievements of ICTY that Ante Gotovina be brought to justice in The Hague. As soon as Gotovina will be in The Hague, it will be possible to say that, indeed, Croatia is co-operating fully with the tribunal".
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§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
What recent discussions they have had with other European Union member states regarding Croatia's co-operation with the International War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. [HL1287]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe UK Government maintain a regular dialogue with our European Union partners, both in the course of the General Affairs and External Relations Council and other official level meetings in Brussels, and in bilateral contacts in London and overseas. This includes our concerns about Croatia's lack of full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The Government welcome the recent statements by ministers from France and Germany stressing the need for Croatia to co-operate fully with the ICTY prior to opening European Union accession talks.