Serbia's EU path cannot count on Croatia, says Parliament Speaker

Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković has warned that Serbia cannot count on Croatia's support for joining the European Union, or even for continuing its EU membership negotiations, if Belgrade remains on its current political course.

Jandroković made the remarks on Friday during a meeting with European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera.

He criticized the recent funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, saying the ceremony was held with the support of Serbian state institutions and was completely unacceptable and contrary to European values.

Jandroković added that there is broad agreement on the issue among political parties represented in the Croatian Parliament. He also said Serbia's current political rhetoric and atmosphere remind many people of the 1990s.

Jandroković warned that such a Serbia poses a serious threat to security and stability in southeast Europe.

Parliament said the meeting also covered the waste crisis in Gospić. Jandroković and Ribera agreed that national and European capacities need to be strengthened to prevent damage to the environment and public health. Ribera said criminal organizations operating in the waste sector are highly interconnected across national borders.

The talks also focused on European competitiveness and energy security. Jandroković highlighted Croatia's contribution through the LNG terminal on the island of Krk and the JANAF oil pipeline.

Both sides agreed that diversifying energy supplies and continuing efforts to cut carbon emissions should be central to strengthening Europe's competitiveness.