Luxembourg, 13/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - The EU foreign ministers noted on Monday by common accord that Croatia is not fully cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal on the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague and that, as a result, the EU cannot give the go-ahead for membership talks to begin with Zagreb. Meeting under the chairmanship of Jean Asselborn, the ministers fully backed recommendations made last week by ICTY Prosecutor Carla del Ponte who said that the Croatian government has moved forward in implementation of the action plan for cooperation with The Hague but that further effort is needed. At a recommendation from the EU Task Force on Croatia - which met on Sunday afternoon in Luxembourg - attended by the foreign ministers of Luxembourg, the United Kingdom and Austria, Commissioner Rehn and High Representative Solana - the Council adopted conclusions on Monday taking stock of the progress made by Croatia for implementation of the action plan. The ministers assert, however, that “three to four months are still needed for assessing whether this additional effort has produced concrete results”, which means that a decision on opening talks is not expected until the autumn. In the meantime, the Council “is pleased to note this new element (progress) and encourages Croatia to continue intensifying its efforts along this road”. It is also keen to point out that “Croatia is a country applying for membership” and that negotiations will be initiated “as soon as the Council has ascertained that Croatia is cooperating fully with the ICTY”. Speaking to the press, Mr Asselborn stressed: “There is no doubt about our resolve to begin negotiations as soon as the conditions are met”. The ministers agreed that the General Affairs/External Relations Council on 18 and 19 July will discuss the Croatian dossier. “We trust that we shall have further progress to announce in July”, Mr Asselborn said.