Brussels, 11/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - The chances of Croatia being able to meet the deadlines generally backed by the European Parliament for joining the EU (conclusion of accession talks in 2009 and accession in 2011) are only between 20% and 30%, explained EP rapporteur on Croatia, Austrian MEP Hannes Swoboda (PES) in an interview with EUObserver on 11 January 2008, regretting the way the Croatian government had wasted a lot of time during the election campaign for the November 2007 elections, a time when little progress was made in reforms and other preparations for joining the EU. Swoboda says the EU should increase pressure on the Croatian authorities to keep the momentum up in order to ensure that the country is actually ready to join the EU. The rapporteur says mistakes had been that must not be repeated - the EU let Bulgaria and Romania join the EU despite the fact that much work had not been completed in both countries before they joined. Swoboda says the same mistake must not be made with Croatia. (H.B.)