Brussels, 12/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - While underlining Croatia's progress in the adoption and implementation of European legislation, the European affairs ministers - who were meeting in European Council on Tuesday 11 December - urged Croatia to resolve “without delay” the issues that are still posing problems. Stressing that the European Commission has emphasised, inter alia, issues in the area of competition, the judiciary and fundamental rights, and in freedom, security and justice, the Council said that it wants to see progress from Zagreb in the final Commission report which will be published in the spring. The ministers also reminded Croatia of the importance of continuing to be concerned with bilateral and regional issues, including succession issues, to make further efforts on the issue of war crimes and to continue to play an active role in regional cooperation. Recalling that Croatia is linked to the successful completion of ratification procedures, the EU ministers said that they look forward to welcoming Croatia as a member of the European Union as of 1 July 2013. (CG/transl.fl)