Brussels, 26/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission believes that “Croatia will be ready to join the European Union on 1 July 2013”, according to the latest monitoring report on Croatia that was adopted on 26 March. “Croatia is generally meeting the commitments and requirements arising from the accession negotiations, in all chapters”, state the conclusion of the report. “This report is positive news. Croatia has worked hard and kept the pace of reforms. It made great strides not only since the end of the accession negotiations, but also since the previous monitoring report”, said Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle. Five member states must still ratify Croatia's accession - Germany (which was awaiting the conclusions of the report), Slovenia (which has just settled its bank conflict with Zagreb), Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Croatia has thus fulfilled the ten priority actions identified in the Commission's monitoring report of October 2012 (see EUROPE 10708). Progress was particularly required on the chapters on competition (8), on the judicial apparatus and human rights (22), and on justice, freedom and security (23). Zagreb has fulfilled its obligations, for example, on restructuring shipyards, on translating documents, and on revising the acquis and judicial reform. The construction of border crossing points at the Neum corridor is expected “to be completed imminently”.
Croatia has also “demonstrated its ability to fulfil all other commitments in good time before accession” and where this is still not the case, “clear work plans are available or about to be finalised for completing the remaining work, including in the fight against corruption, in the months ahead”. Progress has been made on the agriculture and rural development chapter (11), on the food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy chapter (12), on the fisheries chapter (13), on the regional policy and coordination of structural instruments chapter (22) and on the environment chapter (27). The alignment with the acquis in terms of migration, asylum, and visa policy is almost complete, as is the legislative alignment in terms of external borders and Schengen. A report on Croatia and Schengen will be published before 1 July, according to a European source. The Commission's monitoring report also underlines that Croatia is ready to receive structural funds.
“The process is continuing. This is not the end”, a European source states, adding that in some areas progress is still needed. The Commission also highlights the need to continue efforts in the area of human rights, especially the fight against corruption. Croatia must furthermore continue its structural reforms, both because it wants to join the eurozone and also to improve the competitiveness of its economy. Croatia, which obtained EU candidate status in June 2004, will not need post accession monitoring as is the case for Romania and Bulgaria. Croats will elect their 12 MEPs on 14 April. (CG/transl.fl)