Barroso: No date for Croatia's EU accession

Croatia is making progress in its fight against corruption and other criteria for EU membership, top EU officials have confirmed after meetings with visiting Croatian prime minister Jadranka Kosor in Brussels. Ms Kosor promised her country would play its part to have accession talks concluded before the end of the year, but her hosts refused to be drawn on a possible date for Croatia's entry into the EU.

Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, was clear in his statement that there would be no date set for Croatia, or any other future candidates, before accession talks are finalised. In terms of ending negotiations with Croatia, Mr Barrroso said: "Their conclusions primarily depend on Croatia and its meeting the necessary criteria. This may be possible next year."
He also announced that no date would be given on Croatia's EU accession in the next progress report to be presented by the EU Commission in two weeks time.Negotiations with Croatia are making steady progress, said Mr Barrroso, adding that negotiators are currently dealing with the trickiest issues.

Mr Barroso reminded Ms Kosor that the essential areas where Croatia has to continue its efforts are reform of the judiciary, the fight against corruption, minority rights and co-operation with the war crimes tribunal in The Hague. He praised his guest for her determination in combating corruption.
Ms Kosor also held a meeting with commissioner Viviane Reding, one of Mr Barrroso's deputies and responsible in the Brussels EU executive for fundamental rights. Ms Reding acknowledged that Croatia had made substantial progress in the fight against corruption but said efforts had to continue in that area. An independent judiciary is in the fundamental interest of the Croatian people but is also necessary to attract foreign investment, she added.

News source: Waz.euobserver.com link: article