Croatia’s talks to join the European Union are nearing an end with the Balkan country’s accession “in sight”, the bloc’s Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said on Thursday.

“Negotiations are indeed in their final phase, (Croatia’s) E.U. accession is in sight,” Fuele told journalists.

“Sometimes these last 100 yards [metres] are the most difficult part of the marathon,” he said.

“But the good news is that we have not only full confidence but also clear understanding of the main challenges to be tackled and solved.”

Fuele, who spoke after meeting Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic, said the main challenge remained reform of the country’s judiciary.

“The most demanding is the chapter 23 (on the) judiciary and fundamental rights,” he stressed.

“This chapter is on how the system works, is it bringing benefits to the Croatian citizens.”

In June Croatia, which hopes to become an E.U. member by 2012, opened the last three out of 35 chapters that every country must negotiate before joining the bloc.

The three are related to competition, the judiciary and fundamental rights, as well as foreign and defence policy.

Jandrokovic stressed his country was aware that it was facing a few “important challenges” on its path towards becoming a full-fledged E.U. member.

“We are ready to respond to them and we are notably aware of the importance of the chapter on competition and the chapter on the judiciary
.. that additional achievements are needed for these chapters.”

The minister stressed Croatia “firmly” believed it could conclude E.U. talks by mid-2011.

Of the six former Yugoslav republics–Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia–only the latter is an E.U. member.

November 26, 2010
AFP

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