Brussels, 06/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - Croatia will not become a member of the EU until 1 July 2013 but the European Union is already preparing for its membership. As Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle recently pointed out during his visit to Zagreb, the recruitment of European officials from Croatia has already begun. The European Commission aims to recruit 249 Croatian nationals, including 149 at “administrator” level (AD, the graduate level for EU officials). There will be one director general, three directors, 13 intermediate executives and 100 assistants of Croatian nationality. This covers officials and temporary agents over a five-year transition period ending 30 June 2018.
When interviewed by the Croatian media Vecernji list last week, the commissioner said (our translation): “During a five-year transition period ending in June 2018, competitions will be organised to recruit exclusively Croatian nationals”.
The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) does not have figures available concerning the number of Croatian nationals to be recruited in all European institutions by 1 July 2013 but 375 successful candidates are to be chosen for 2012 and 142 for 2013. EPSO, however, cannot confirm that these goals will be reached and if, or when, all candidates will be recruited by the different institutions. The recruitment of Croatian officials has therefore already begun. Open competitions have been organised for the posts of administrators AD5, chief translators (AD9/12), proof readers/language editors, and assistants (in communication, project management and legal affairs).
Once Croatia becomes the 28th member state, the EU delegation in Zagreb will become a new Commission representation office with some 20 staff members. A transition team of around 30 personnel will remain on the spot for a maximum 18 months after accession, just time to put an end to financial assistance under the pre-accession instrument.
In 2013, Croatia will be entitled to €449.4 million in financial assistance under the structural and cohesion funds, €27.7 million for rural development and €8.7 million for fisheries, the spokesman for Budget Commissioner Patrizio Fiorilli said, explaining that these were commitment appropriations. (CG/transl.jl)