Croatia urges Montenegro to take decisive steps on bilateral issues

Croatia emphasizes that the principle of good neighbourly relations is one of the key political criteria in the EU enlargement process and is explicitly set out in Montenegro's Negotiating Framework, as well as those of other candidate countries.

The European Union has made it very clear that it cannot and does not wish to import bilateral disputes. Therefore, all outstanding issues must be resolved without delay so that they do not burden either bilateral relations or the accession process, CE Report informs via the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs' official website.

"In an effort to advance bilateral relations and resolve outstanding issues, Croatia renewed its invitation to Montenegro at the end of 2024 to engage in dialogue aimed at settling these matters, which must be concluded to avoid hindering the crucial final phase of the accession process.

Throughout the entire process, Croatia has demonstrated strategic patience and understanding. However, the time has now come for decisive action by the Government of Montenegro.

Our expectations are clear: resolving the issue of compensation for former camp detainees; continuing efforts to locate the 14 persons still missing from the Homeland War; prosecuting war crimes; resolving the property rights issues of Croatian families in Montenegro who lost their property and whose court proceedings have stalled; preserving the memorial plaque at the former Morinj camp; changing the name of the swimming pool in Kotor; continuing talks on the maritime border; and returning the training ship Jadran.

Only a few months remain until the end of 2026. We therefore once again call on the Montenegrin side to engage in constructive dialogue and accelerate work on resolving all outstanding issues," the statement reads.

Photo Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs