Brussels, 16/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament supports Croatia and the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers' goal to finalise accession negotiations within the first half of this year, on the obvious condition that the country respects all the accession criteria by then. In a resolution adopted on Wednesday 16 February in Strasbourg, MEPs stated that Croatia's swift accession would have both a European and regional impact, and would encourage the other Western Balkan countries to go a little further along the route of reform. So far, Croatia has closed 28 of the 35 negotiating chapters. The seven chapters that still need to be concluded are not the least difficult (agriculture, fisheries, regional policy and the budget), as well as the most delicate, (justice and fundamental rights - which involves reform of the legal system and the fight against corruption and organised crime, and competition - particularly restructuring of the shipbuilding sector). With these two “hot” chapters, the Council expects “convincing contributions”, explained Janos Martonyi, the Hungarian minister for foreign affairs. Commissioner Füle held a meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Kosor on Tuesday 15 February and announced that the Commission would adopt an interim report on Croatian preparations on the justice and fundamental rights chapter “in the middle of March”. Füle also said that the ministerial accession conference on 29 April is expected to help close the remaining chapters.
Pursue reform. The EP congratulated Croatia for the “significant progress accomplished” in the reforms needed to join the EU but it also pointed out that there were still areas where a lot of work needed to be done. The country's administrative capacity remains “insufficient”. Corruption is “widespread” and remains a major problem overall. Support for the return of refugees (particularly Serbs) should be improved. Cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is making progress but the request from the tribunal for significant numbers of military documents is still pending. The pursuit of war criminals must be stepped up. Restructuring of the shipyards must also be speeded up.
EU's lack of popularity. The EP is also concerned by the lack of support for the EU among the Croatian public (according to the most recent Eurobarometer survey, the majority of Croatians consider that EU accession will not benefit their country). Zagreb is urged to do more to help Croatians understand that “the European project is also their project”.
Debate. The rapporteur, Hannes Swoboda (S&D), and many other MEPs highlighted the need to respect accession criteria but protested against possible “artificial” barriers being erected at the last minute against Croatia becoming the 28th member of the EU. Disputes that were formerly settled by force in the region are now resolved through negotiations, explained the Austrian rapporteur. The memory of the violence of the past and awareness of the progress achieved since then was recalled by the spokesman for the EPP Group, Berndt Posselt from Germany, who also recognised the necessity of making progress in the judicial arena. Likewise, German Green, Franziska Branter, demanded co-operation with the ICTY, as well as an improvement in the way local courts function, particularly with regard to witness protection. Geoffrey Van Orden (ECR, United Kingdom) protested that concerns about corruption and the rule of law are not artificial barriers and the fact that ministers are accused of corruption is considered by some as proof that action is being taken. Van Orden also said that it confirmed the extent of this scourge. Speaking on behalf of the GUE/NGL, Takis Hadjigeorgiu from Cyprus alluded to the economic problems experienced by Croatia - unemployment, non-respect of human rights, insufficient social protection etc. Reform of the legal and administrative system, as well as the fight against corruption, remains the leitmotiv of the whole debate and a final message is that Europe's doors remain open but Croatia must put its good reform intentions into practice. OLAF (the European Anti-Fraud Office) could help this process, explained Göran Färm (S&D, Sweden), by taking part in investigations into corruption in Croatia. This is not simply about improving the legal sector but also about promoting a culture of tolerance, explained his Liberal compatriot Lena Ek. Tomasz Poreba (ECR, Poland) sought further clarity on the position of Croatian citizens themselves with regard to accession. Croatian citizens have misgivings, pointed out Jean-Pierre Audy (EPP, France). He would like an awareness campaign at a European level, which clearly demonstrates what has been achieved, in an effort to ensure respect for accession criteria. It is the quality of accession that counts, not the speed with which it is executed, Bastian Belder (EFD, the Netherlands), explained. He also said that he was concerned by the pace of negotiations sought by the Hungarian Presidency. Dutch Green, Marije Cornelissen, was on the same wavelength and said that they should not set out an accession date but rather highlight what still needed to be done. Stefan Füle agreed that they needed to get Croatian citizens to understand the benefits of accession but concluded that this was also necessary in respect of future potential candidates. (H.B./L.G./transl.fl)