Published: 26 October 2010 Updated: 27 October 2010
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso made it clear yesterday (25 October) that Croatia's accession talks to join the EU may be completed by the end of 2011 rather than in the spring, as initially targeted by Zagreb.
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso made it clear yesterday (25 October) that Croatia's accession talks to join the EU may be completed by the end of 2011 rather than in the spring, as initially targeted by Zagreb.
Speaking to journalists alongside visiting Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, Barroso referred to chapter 23 of Croatia's accession negotiations on fighting corruption (entitled 'Judiciary and Fundamental Rights') as a key test for the country's accession.
Barroso said that whilst "important progress" had been made, more "concrete" reforms were needed.
Last week, Jean de Ruyt, EU ambassador for Belgium, the country currently holding the rotating EU presidency, made it clear that before chapter 23 could be closed, Croatia would have to convince EU countries of its full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
"Only once negotiations have ended will a date for accession be set," de Ruyt said, adding "we believe that substance is more important than timing".
EU Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle warned earlier this year that Croatia's last leap to accession "would be the hardest".
Minimising Sanader's return
Croatian Prime Minister Kosor, speaking after a meeting with Barroso, told EurActiv that she was "not afraid" of former PM Ivo Sanader's potential return to politics, saying that hers was "a stable country". Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in Croatia at the end of November 2011.
"Everyone is invited to give their contribution to the accession process," Kosor said.
Former PM Ivo Sanader surprisingly resigned in July 2009. Kosor succeeded him in the post and as leader of the ruling centre-right Democratic Union (HDZ) party. Last Friday, Sanader, who has returned to his country after a period spent in the USA, won back his seat in parliament.
Croatian daily HIC reports that EU member-state diplomats fear political instability would create obstacles in the country's accession process, and would delay the adoption of reforms and austerity measures.
Earlier this month Sanader had testified before a parliamentary panel investigating possible corruption during his term of office, stemming from the privatisation of Croatian oil and gas company INA and how Hungary's energy holding MOL had acquired additional management rights last year.
Background
Croatia hopes to wrap up its accession negotiations next spring and sign an accession treaty with the EU by the end of the Hungarian Presidency, which follows after the current Belgian one.
Ratification of the accession treaty by all EU member states would then see Croatia join the Union.
In February 2003, Croatia formally presented its EU membership application. In April of the following year, the European Commission agreed to open EU accession negotiations.
The process was delayed in March 2005 when the EU questioned Croatia's cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). It was interrupted again in 2008 over a border dispute with Slovenia, which was resolved by arbitration and supported by a referendum in Slovenia.
Croatia hopes to wrap up its accession negotiations next spring and sign an accession treaty with the EU by the end of the Hungarian Presidency, which follows after the current Belgian one.
Ratification of the accession treaty by all EU member states would then see Croatia join the Union.
In February 2003, Croatia formally presented its EU membership application. In April of the following year, the European Commission agreed to open EU accession negotiations.
The process was delayed in March 2005 when the EU questioned Croatia's cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). It was interrupted again in 2008 over a border dispute with Slovenia, which was resolved by arbitration and supported by a referendum in Slovenia.
euractiv
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