Podgorica, (MINA) - Croatia expects a new date to be set for a meeting with Montenegrin representatives to resolve the disputed issues as soon as possible, and if that does not happen, the country will consider further steps to protect its interests, in accordance with international law and good diplomatic practice, said Vanda Babic Galic, special advisor to Croatia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs in a statement to Vijesti.

She confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of that country, headed by Gordan Grlic Radman, proposed holding a meeting with the Montenegrin side on March 25, with the aim of resolving one of the outstanding issues.

“The Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) was not able to accept the proposed date”, said Babic Galic, adding that no alternative date has yet been proposed.

Bilateral consultations between the two ministries on resolving open issues began at the end of January last year, after Zagreb blocked Podgorica from closing Chapter 31 – Foreign, Security and Defense Policy.

Democratic Party of Socialists MP Ivan Vukovic announced on Thursday on social networks that the MFA postponed the upcoming meeting with Croatian counterparts, asking why they did so.

The Ministry told Vijesti on Thursday evening that they informed their colleagues in Croatia that they are “working to meet the requirements for organizing the meeting at the planned level”, and that they would propose new dates in due time.