Serbian PM Decides Against Croatia Visit

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic did not travel to Croatia for the Dubrovnik Business Forum on Thursday, despite previous speculation that he would go.

At a press conference on Monday, Vucic hinted this could be the case, saying he would "probably not attend" but that he had not yet made a final decision.

One reason for his decision not to attend the Forum could be a downgrading of the official status of the event from prime ministerial to ministerial, Croatia's outgoing Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic told media on Tuesday.

"We told Vucic that we will not have a prime ministerial panel [but ministerial instead]. I do not see a point to Vucic coming," Oreskovic said.

Experts had suggested that a Vucic visit to Croatia, could ease growing tensions between two countries which have persisted for several months, with inflammatory diplomatic protest notes being exchanged.

Speaking about Vucic's possible visit to Dubrovnik, Croatian Foreign Minister Miro Kovac took an apparent sideswipe at a Serbian law which gives Belgrade universal jurisdiction over all war crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia - a law that Zagreb opposes.

"Tell him to bring a list of Croats against whom there are charges or who are suspects," Kovac, who is known for his outspoken statements, told media on Tuesday.

However, as Croatia will hold parliamentary polls on September 11, many see the Croatian politicians' recent rhetoric as a part of the election campaign.