Brussels, 05/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 4 September, Viviane Reding sent a new letter to Croatian justice minister Orsat Miljenic about the European Arrest Warrant and the timeline set by Zagreb for complying with this EU legislation. Croatia is planning to make the necessary amendments operational in July 2014, but the Commission says that would be far too late. The Commission is currently examining penalties that would be levied on Croatia if it fails to meet its obligations. At its meeting next Wednesday, the College of European Commissioners might decide to activate the measure laid down in Article 39 of the Accession Treaty if Croatia does not change the planned timeline. In order to activate the measures, the Commission needs to pass a decision, and Reding's department is in the process of drafting the decision to be submitted to the commissioners for approval if necessary. The possible penalties could include a Cooperation and Verification Mechanism or refusal to grant some types of EU funding. The question may also delay Croatia's membership of the Schengen Area. (SP/transl.fl)