"We want this dialogue to be conducted in diplomatic discretion, however, it is evident that the policy is being pursued through Croatian media. It is not the way to communicate," Milanovic said at a news conference he held together with his host in Riga, Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis.

"The minister has presented clear and accurate arguments calling for elementary equity and fair treatment so that countries finding themselves in the identical legal situation and covered by accession treaties could apply Article 39 in the same manner. We do not think that we are in serious breach, we can talk about certain inconsistencies, but we have set the time frames within we will change it," Milanovic said.

In its reply to Commissioner Reding, Croatia recalls that both Slovenia and the Czech Republic imposed a time limit on the application of the European Arrest Warrant in 2004 and they were not penalised for that.

Milanovic reiterated that "some people in Croatia are afraid of the truth, that's what this is about, and not letters from commissioners."

Croatia passed the law dubbed "Lex Perkovic" in late June, limiting the application of the European Arrest Warrant to crimes committed after August 2002.

Critics say the time limit was introduced in order to prevent the extradition of Josip Perkovic, a Croatian national and former Yugoslav-era secret agent, to Germany for his role in the assassination of a Croat dissident in Bavaria in 1983.

Milanovic counters that the time limits were imposed for other reasons and that those who insist on Perkovic's handover to Germany are afraid of his possible prosecution in Croatia.