Brussels, 24/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - Several member states underlined at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 23 May that the quality of membership negotiations with Croatia was more important than the timetable and that the EU27 at this stage could not commit themselves to a deadline for completing talks. Zagreb, supported by the Hungarian Presidency and a number of member states (Italy, for example), hopes to close talks end June to bring about EU membership in 2013. Other countries, such as the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, are in less of a hurry and underline the need to respect accession criteria. At this stage, 30 of the 35 chapters have been closed but a number of hefty dossiers (justice and fundamental rights, competition) still pose a problem. Laurent Wauquiez, Minister for European Affairs of France, gave his assurance on Monday that his country was not seeking to play for time or to defer the deadline, although he did insist on the need for strict compliance with the criteria. “We are for the quick conclusion of negotiations, but also for effective control that commitments are respected”, the French foreign minister, Alain Juppé, said. France, the United Kingdom and other countries also hope that the EU27 will impose a surveillance mechanism on Croatia between the end of talks and the country's effective accession, Wauquiez said. This would be a “monitoring programme” to ensure that Croatia keeps up the effort, for example with regard to reform of the justice system and the fight against corruption, once talks have been completed. Failing to do so would mean that the country's date of membership would be deferred, Wauquiez said. (H.B./transl.jl)