Brussels, 06/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - The pace of accession negotiations with Croatia are “in the hands of Zagreb” declared José Manuel Barroso and Stjepan Mesic to the press, after a working lunch on Wednesday. The president of the Commission in this way refused to follow in the steps of European Parliament president Josep Borrell. The day before, following his meeting with the Croatian president, Mr Borrell had declared that 2009 should be the common objective for the accession of the country to the EU. Complementing Croatia on the progress it has accomplished, Mr Barroso said that it was “probable” that the country would become the 28th Member State but stated that “I understand it is important sometime to set a date so as to focus” but “at this stage I cannot commit myself to date”. The president of the Commission added that “negotiations had started well” but “the keys to progress are in the hands of Croatia”. He also pointed out that crucial reforms were needed, particularly those involving reform of the judiciary and public administration but also in the fight against corruption and ensuring the return of refugees and the protection of minorities (for the Commission's progress report see EUROPE 9302). Mr Mesic stressed that, “if the EC believes that Croatia can be the 28th member of the EU, we are certain of it”. The Commissioner for enlargement, Olli Rehn, has already repeated several times that Croatia's accession was envisaged towards the end of the decade (EUROPE 9319).
Mr Barroso also insisted that Zagreb did not “take unilateral measures” concerning the Croatian ecological and fishing protection zone, where as voices had been raised in the country to request application of its provisions in EU countries. Mr Mesic replied that he preferred dialogue with his Slovenian and Italian neighbours to ensure that, “there is no confrontation with the Commission on interpretation of our obligations” on this point. (ab)