Raad stemt in met toetredingspartnerschap Kroatië (en)

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

C/08/39

Brussels, 12 February 2008

6387/08 (Presse 39)

Council adopts a revised accession partnership with Croatia

The Council today [1] adopted a decision revising the principles, priorities and conditions applied in the accession partnership with Croatia ( doc.5122/08).

The decision, which repeals and replaces decision 2006/145/EC [2], identifies new priorities for the accession partnership, on the basis of the conclusions of the Council of 10 December 2007 and the 2007 progress report from the Commission on Croatia's preparations for integration within the EU. In order to focus its preparations on the evolving needs of the process, Croatia is expected to develop a plan with a timetable and specific measures addressing the new priorities.

The accession partnership constitutes the framework for Croatia's preparations. Its implementation is key for the advancement of the negotiating process. The accession partnership also provides guidance for financial assistance.

The main priorities for Croatia relate in particular to its capacity to meet the political criteria set for EU accession by the European Council at Copenhagen in 1993, the conditions set for the stabilisation and association process for the Western Balkans, and the requirements of the negotiating framework adopted by the Council.

The key priorities relate to the following issues:

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  ensuring proper implementation of all commitments made under the EU-Croatia stabilisation and association agreement;

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  updating and implementing the strategy and action plan for judicial reform;

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  adoption and implementation of a strategic framework for public administration reform;

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  updating and accelerating implementation of the anti-corruption programme and related action plans and ensuring more co-ordinated and pro-active efforts to prevent, detect and effectively prosecute corruption;

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  implementing the Constitutional Law on National Minorities, and tackling discrimination;

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  completing the return of refugees, settling all cases of housing care for former occupancy/tenancy rights holders, completing reconstruction and repossession of property and reopening of the possibility for convalidation claims;

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  reconciliation amongst citizens in the region;

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  enhancing efforts to find definitive solutions to bilateral issues, in particular border issues, with neighbouring countries, and resolving the Ecological and Fisheries Protection Zone (ZERP) issue;

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  maintaining full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and ensuring integrity of domestic war crimes proceedings;

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  improving the business environment and economic growth potential.

Furthermore, various short term priorities to be met by Croatia are identified, in particular in order to advance work on the negotiation chapters in the coming months.

[1] The decision was taken at a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, without discussion.

[2] Council decision 2006/145/EC, Official Journal L/55, 25.02.06, p. 30.