Brussels, 01/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - During a visit to the Croatian capital Zagreb on Thursday, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that if all went well, Croatia should be able to join the EU at the end of the decade, but in terms of fighting corruption and organised crime and improving the justice system (already singled out in the European Commission's most recent progress report, see EUROPE 9302), 'a lot of work still needs to be done and reforms have to be pursued in earnest now'. Speaking at the Croatian Supreme Court, Olli Rehn called for 'zero tolerance of corrupt practices and that as soon as suspicions arise, they are dealt with swiftly and effectively.' He went on: 'I think most of us recognise corruption when we see it. And the fact remains that we see too much of it in Croatia… Progress in fighting corruption and organised crime will also hep improve Croatia's image in the EU, important for smoothing the accession process.' Despite efforts like the adoption of the new National Programme to Fight Corruption, and the strengthening of the anti-corruption office USKOK, more work needs to be done to improve the justice system, introducing sound rules for the financing of political parties and political campaign, for example. 'Corruption must be more efficiently and proactively investigated and prosecuted,' explained Rehn. He also called for reforms of the judiciary: 'The majority of judges do good work. But a minority do not and this, together with systemic weaknesses, contributes to the creation of a negative image of the judiciary,' said Rehn. 'More efficient internal control mechanisms should be created. Those who cannot live up to the high standards of the judicial profession should not work as judges or prosecutors.' 'The Commission wants to see results,' he hammered home.
During a different speech on Friday, this time at Osijek University, the Commissioner discussed progress in the accession talks as a whole, repeating that he was cautiously optimistic about Croatia being able to join the EU before the end of the decade. He explained that 'the EU needs to work for economic and political revival, and not make enlargement the scapegoat for domestic failures. While we prepare internally for a new institutional settlement, the gradual and carefully managed accession process with Croatia moves on.' Serious challenges remain in a series of negotiating 'chapters', he added, like the environment, justice and home affairs, food safety and farming. (ab)