The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted the claims of Croatian authorities regarding the expulsion of a Serbian diplomat, calling them “incorrect.” In response, they have demanded evidence from the Croatian side to support their decision. This dispute arose after Croatia expelled Petar Novaković, an adviser at the Serbian embassy in Croatia, and Serbia’s expulsion of the first secretary of the Croatian embassy in Belgrade, Hrvoje Šnjader.

Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman stated that it was a matter of choice when questioned by journalists about Croatia’s decision to expel a higher-ranking diplomat in retaliation. The ministry press release asserted that Novaković did not violate Vienna Convention provisions and was in Croatia for consular, not political, affairs. They also challenged the notion that he could have violated Vienna Convention provisions within two months of taking office. In contrast, the press release claimed that Šnajder’s expulsion is based on evidence that represents a severe violation of Vienna Convention provisions.

Belgrade media have labeled Šnajder as a spy and suggested that he was recruited to work for the Croatian service.