ZAGREB, 23 Jan (Hina) – The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs recommended on Thursday postponing all non-essential travel to Serbia due to inappropriate and unfounded actions taken against Croatian citizens.

“The Ministry recommends avoiding all non-essential travel, exercising caution, monitoring the current situation, and obtaining detailed information before travelling due to recorded inappropriate and unfounded actions by Serbian authorities towards Croatian citizens,” the Foreign and European Affairs Ministry said on Thursday afternoon.

Croatian citizens are also advised to avoid locations where large crowds gather.

The Ministry noted that “in case of need, Croatian citizens have the right to contact the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the Republic of Serbia at any time.”

Foreign Minister Gordan GrliД‡ Radman announced in Davos yesterday that the ministry’s travel recommendation for the neighbouring country would be updated to ensure the safety and security of Croatians. “From what I can see, safety is questionable,” said the minister.

Today, Croatia also issued a diplomatic protest note to Serbia regarding five Croatian women who were unjustifiably detained and subsequently expelled from Serbia.

The Croatian citizens in question are representatives of non-governmental organisations who were participating in workshops in Belgrade organised by Erste Stiftung. Along with their expulsion, Serbia has banned them from entering the country for one year.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs also plans to systematically collect all cases of harassment of Croatian citizens in Serbia and report them to the European Commission and the Polish EU Presidency.