Brussels, 27/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 26 November Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle said during his visit to Croatia that effort remains to be made before Croatia's accession on 1 July 2013, but adding that Zagreb is “on its way”. During his meetings with the Croatian leaders, Füle stressed the progress that was needed in the areas of competition, the judiciary and fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security, and in translation of the acquis. Further effort must also be made in a number of chapters such as agriculture, the environment, and preparations for the structural funds, Füle added.
“We expect significant progress in the coming months, in view of our next monitoring report, to be published in the spring”, Füle said in a press release, “confident that Croatia will make it and will be able to assume the obligations of membership” in time. Zagreb “has to deliver some concrete tasks before accession. This does not mean that we question Croatia's capactiy to be ready (…) on 1 July”, he also said in an address to the Western Balkan Civil Society Forum.
Füle also spoke to Croatian leaders on regional issues and encouraged Zagreb to continue its efforts to find solutions that are “mutually acceptable” to the open issues with its neighbours “including border issues” - with Croatia still in disagreement with Slovenia about Llubljanska Banka (see EUROPE 10662) and Serbia (see other article). Füle also said that once Croatia is a member state, it will have an specific additional role - helping the countries of the region to achieve their European aspirations by using Croatia's experience, the positive momentum created by its accession and its lead on certain problems. (CG/transl.fl)