Brussels, 08/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - The joint EU/Croatia committee held its first meeting in Zagreb on 3-4 March under the joint presidency of the Croat Gordan Jandrokovic (Croatian Democratic Union) and the Hungarian Pal Schmitt (EPP-ED). As well as cooperation with the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (EUROPE yesterday p 7), parliamentarians examined reform of the legal system and the fight against corruption, the return of refugees and minority rights, as well as the economic situation in the country. Priority subjects for Croatia's European accession, according to the parliamentarians.
The joint declaration adopted at the end of the meeting highlights the importance of strengthening the Croatian legal system and improving its professionalism and impartiality. It calls on the Croatian government to introduce transparent procedures for recruitment, selection and promotion of personnel in public administration. The government also has to continue to implement the constitutional law on minority rights and provide provisions for television and radio channels for minority languages. Croatia will also have to put more emphasis on helping refugees return, who are still outside the Croatian borders, (particularly Serbs in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina).
In order to improve the efficiency of the economy, the effectiveness of the legal sector and public administration “should be enhanced significantly”, the government also has to deal with other important challenges such as unemployment, speeding up the restructuring and privatisation process, redressing the trade balance and improving fiscal consolidation.