ZAGREB, Croatia, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- The European Union has told Croatia to improve its record on war crimes and refugees if it wants to join the organization.
The Financial Times of London reported Thursday if Croation takes action, membership approval could come as early as next June, although final negotiations could last another four years.
Gunter Verheugen, EU enlargement commissioner, said Croatian membership could send a powerful signal to Serbia and other western Balkan countries that democratic reforms will be rewarded
Verheugen said the EU remained concerned about Croatia's lack of cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal. He said there were also reservations about treatment of returning Serb refugees, who fled atrocities in Croatia during the break up of Yugoslavia in 1991 and 1992.
