Croatia's wartime grievances threaten Montenegro's hopes of joining EU by 2028

Croatia has cautioned that unresolved disputes with neighboring Montenegro could hinder the Balkan nation's aspirations to join the European Union by 2028. In a document sent to EU governments on Monday, Zagreb outlined eight demands it seeks Montenegro to address. Montenegro is considered the leading candidate for EU membership, aiming to become the bloc's 28th member by 2028.

However, lingering disagreements with Croatia, which trace back to the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, may disrupt this timeline. The document expresses Croatia's desire to move past this historical chapter and establish a forward-looking relationship with Montenegro. "Yet, mutual trust and genuine, lasting reconciliation cannot be built without resolving these issues," the document reads.

While Montenegro has made progress towards EU membership, Croatia is obstructing advancements in four other policy areas, including transport and foreign relations, which require unanimous approval from existing EU members. The document reinforces Croatia's grievances against Montenegro, many of which stem from the conflicts that ensued when Yugoslavia disintegrated.

These grievances include compensation for Croatians held at the Morinj prison camp in Montenegro during the 1991-1992 war, a memorial plaque to remain at the site, and locating the remains of 14 missing individuals. Croatia also seeks consideration of command responsibility for war crimes committed at the camp. Property disputes from the early 1990s, where Croatians were deprived of their homes without sufficient compensation, are another point of contention.

The 2021 law allowing land restitution in an Albanian-majority region has raised concerns about unequal treatment. Additionally, Croatia is demanding the return of the Jadran, a sail training ship seized by Montenegro after Yugoslavia's dissolution. Lastly, Croatia urges the resolution of territorial disputes, encompassing land and maritime borders, according to the Arbitration Commission of the Conference on Yugoslavia.

Despite Croatia's consistent encouragement for Montenegro to settle these issues and its support for the country's EU accession, none have been resolved.