Brussels, 20/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has adopted its annual programme for Croatia, under the Community assistance programme for reconstruction, development and stabilisation (CARDS). In 2004, Croatia will benefit from an envelope of 76 million EUR to continue reform and modernisation efforts in five principle areas.
Funds destined for democratic stabilisation and reinforcing the rule of law represent a total of 17.5 million EUR, to be concentrated around encouraging the return of refugees, and the development of civil society in areas such as education, health, the environment and human rights. Economic and social development will have an overall envelope of 17.75 million EUR, and its priorities will be the development of legislation, especially in terms of agriculture, or consumer protection, and to improve the investment environment via support structures for SMEs. Justice and home affairs will receive aid to the tune of 21.85 million EUR, which will be used to improve the Croatian legal system and help set up modern border-surveillance equipment. For the reinforcement of administrative capabilities, financial assistance will be 15.1 million EUR, with priority reforms in the fields of public finances, regional development and telecommunications. The total funds for the sustainable development of natural resources, and environmental actions generally, is 3.8 million EUR. It will mainly be used to bring Croatian legislation into line with European standards, especially for water and energy.
In April, the Commission adopted its annual programmes for 2004 for Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, under the CARDS programme (see EUROPE of 6 April).