(ZAGREB) - EU enlargement chief Olli Rehn warned Croatia on Thursday that a fishing row with Italy and Slovenia could slow the Balkan country's membership talks with the European Union.

"If this will not be settled shortly, it will unfortunately cause serious delays in the EU accession process of your country," Rehn told journalists after meeting with Prime Minister Ivo Sanader.

"This is a very serious and the most urgent issue for Croatia to settle," he stressed.

But Rehn, who arrived in the Croatian capital Zagreb at the start of a Balkans tour on Wednesday, voiced confidence that an "agreement in the EU spirit can be found soon."

The dispute stems from Croatia's decision to enforce a fishing and ecological zone on January 1, despite opposition from EU members Italy and Slovenia.

The 23,800 square kilometre (9,520 square mile) zone, first proclaimed by Croatia's parliament in 2003, is aimed at protecting Adriatic Sea fishing stocks, which Zagreb says are being depleted by Italy's large fleet of trawlers.

However, in 2004 Croatia agreed exemptions for EU countries until a fishing accord is finalised with the 27-nation bloc.

Italy and Slovenia have since proclaimed their own ecological zones.

Croatia is hoping to join the EU by the end of the decade.

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