Brussels, 19/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - Conclusion of Croatia's EU accession talks is within touching distance, said Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi following the Association Council and Accession Conference between the parties (see EUROPE 10361). The Hungarian Presidency of the Council “shares Croatia's objective which is to conclude negotiations by the end of June. It is an ambitious target but can be achieved on condition that Croatia finishes what it has to do in a number of areas. Now it has to honour all the commitments to conclude negotiations”, the Hungarian minister said. Croatia's successful accession takes on an importance extending far beyond its borders. “It sends a signal to the whole Balkan region as to the credibility of enlargement based on conditionality”, Martonyi went on to say.
At the Accession Conference, it was decided to close negotiations on two further key chapters: agriculture and rural development (chapter 11) and regional policy and coordination of structural instruments (chapter 22). “These policies account for 70-75% of the EU budget”, Martonyi pointed out. At this point, 30 of the 35 chapters have been closed.
At the 7th Association and Stabilisation Council between the EU and Croatia, the Council asked Croatia to continue reforms in a number of key areas such as the judiciary, tackling corruption and organised crime, and prosecution of war crimes. Croatia was also asked to continue its economic reforms. The issues of the return of refugees and respect for minorities were also broached. The Association Council hailed the progress made in regional cooperation and ratification of the arbitration agreement with Slovenia.
“Closure of negotiations is within reach. However important challenges lie ahead of Croatia in this final stage”, said Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle. He noted that Croatia had continued to work on restructuring its shipyards, and, with regard to fundamental freedoms and the reform of the judicial system, the Commission had already highlighted in its report the progress made and the areas of weakness which Croatia had to address. Füle hailed the “considerable progress made by Croatia”. Speaking about the successful agriculture talks, the commissioner stated that here could be found the principles that would allow Croatia to derive benefit from EU agricultural funds and assure a stable supply of affordable and safe food for people. In addition, the arrangements will allow the Croatian agri-food industry to modernise and grow. Croatian farmers will benefit from EU direct aid, the commissioner noted.
“The end of discussions on the agriculture and regional policy chapters shows that the accession negotiations are drawing to a close”, commented Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic. “Our interests have been recognised and taken into account”, he said. “We are committed to achieving our objective of concluding negotiations by the end of June”, he added. (L.C./transl.rt)