Brussels, 20/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has called on the Council to begin negotiations with Croatia about its accession to the European Union. In its opinion on Croatia's candidacy, adopted on Tuesday, the Commission considers that the Balkans Republic satisfies the so-called political criteria of "Copenhagen". It underlines in particular its co-operation with the International Criminal Court for the Former Yugoslavia (ICCFY) and that it has a market economy that is able to cope with European competition. Croatia also progressed with its legislation on the Community Acquis even if it has to make more effort, particularly on environmental legislation. The Commission is recommending that the EU elaborates a pre-accession strategy for Croatia and announced that it would soon be presenting proposals on this subject soon. At the European Council in June a formal decision will be made on whether or not to grant Croatia accession candidate status.
In the much awaited opinion on Croatia's accession request, presented on 21 February 2003, the Commission points out that Croatia fulfilled the criteria allowing for the opening of accession negotiations between the EU. The Commission indicates that Croatia "is a functioning democracy and which has institutions guaranteeing the primacy of law". Nonetheless, it does point out that Croatia has to take measures to improve respect for the rights of minorities, particularly those of the Serbian minority by accelerating he implementation of constitutional law for national minorities and by intensifying efforts to facilitate the return of Serbian refugees from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Significant improvements are necessary in the legal system of the country as well as in the fight against corruption.
A fundamental criteria and certainly decisive for a positive opinion from the Commission: co-operation with Croatia and the International Criminal court for the Former Yugoslavia (ICCFY), a recurrent demand from the EU with regard to Zagreb but also to all Balkan countries. The Balkan republic appears to have improved in both aspects because the Commission underlines that co-operation with the ICCFY "considerably improved over recent months" and that "in April 2004, the State Prosecutor declared that Croatia was now entirely co-operating with the ICCFY". The Commission is calling on Croatia to keep up this co-operation and especially, to ensure that those accused are transferred to The Hague. In order to close the political chapter, the Commission considers that efforts in regional co-operation are also needed, notably for resolving border questions with neighbouring countries and problems resulting from the unilateral declaration of a "ecological fishing zone" in the Adriatic Sea (denounced by Slovenia: Editor's note).
Another indispensable aspect for beginning negotiations: respect for economic criteria. Once again Croatia is proving to be a good pupil. The Commission notes that Croatia "can be considered to have a functioning market economy" and a macro-economic environment that is stable, with a low level of inflation, good road infrastructure and telecommunications, a well developed banking sector and a competitive tourist industry. However, the Commission says that, "the functioning of market mechanisms still has to be improved" by strengthening the legal apparatus, lowering administrative costs and by setting up a complete real estate and land register". The Commission states that the restructuring process and company privatisation was "slower than expected" and that there is a need to modernise the shipbuilding and agriculture sectors as well a continue with reforms of the tax system, social security and public administration and making the budget more healthy.
One final point: the ability of Croatia to respect its obligations results from the association and stabilisation agreement and the progress accomplished for complying with the Community Acquis. The Commission considers that the country "has made notable efforts to align its legislation on the Community acquis", particularly in the internal market and trade. Croatia, however, will have to make more and significant efforts to apply and effectively implement the acquis in the medium term in a series of other areas (free movement of capital, corporate law, fishing, transport, energy, customs union, financial control, free movement of goods and persons, free provision of services, competition, agriculture, taxation, justice and home affairs). The Commission also pinpoints Croatia's environmental legislation which requires additional efforts and significant long term investment before being in perfect compliance with the Community Acquis.