10/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Union brought on Tuesday its support to the Croatian government, in the throws of a serious crisis after it decided this weekend to transfer two generals to the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, according to the press. Several Ministers, opposed to this decision, have resigned, which casts doubts over the survival of the government. The EU High Representative for CFSP called the Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan to congratulate him over the "courageous decision" by his government. Javier Solana said he was aware of "the extremely difficult context in which this decision was taken", while underlining over the decision "there is not a shadow of doubt that it is the right one", and that it constitutes "a very constructive step towards Europe". In a speech on the EU and the Balkans made before the International Crisis Group, Commissioner Chris Patten also welcomed the decision, and called on the Croat population to support it, "as difficult as it may be for some", because it is the only path towards Europe.