Brussels, 22/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - In its conclusion on 22 April, the Council said it was pleased at the outlook of welcoming Croatia as a member of the European Union on 1 July 2013, on condition that the ratification process is concluded. The EU ministers take note of the fact that Croatia is respecting its commitments and fulfilling the requirements of the accession negotiations for all chapters. The ministers congratulate Croatia on the results obtained and take note of the achievement of the ten priority actions. They say that Croatia has shown that it had the resolve and the ability to fulfil all its commitments before accession and that it should now bring to a successful end its final preparations for becoming a member of the EU. They also hail the measures taken on urgent structural reforms to improve the competitiveness and outlook for growth of the economy, and encourage it to continue its efforts.
However, the Council reiterates that Zagreb should continue to build its track record in the area of the rule of law, particularly as concerns the fight against corruption and the handling of files on national war crimes. The ministers also underline that they hope that Croatia will continue to play an active and positive role in regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. (CG/transl.fl)