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Croatia Drawing The Final Straight Line Towards EU

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  • Croatia Drawing The Final Straight Line Towards EU

    CROATIA DRAWING THE FINAL STRAIGHT LINE TOWARDS EU

    Javno.hr
    October 16, 2009 18:38h

    The advances of Croatia are a clear indicator of the registered
    progresses of general form for the entire set of Balkan countries

    After four years of intense negotiations and deep reforms Croatia
    approaches the final straight line in its way towards the European
    Union. Brussels thinks that if the ancient Yugoslavian republic -
    expires on time with the hanging criteria, the negotiations of
    adherence might end next year. -

    Community sources assume that Croatia might be the 28th member of the
    Union by 2012. The commissioner responsible for the EU Enlargement,
    Olli Rehn, showed yesterday that Iceland might join to the Union in the
    same date as Croatia. The advances of Croatia are a clear indicator of
    the registered progresses of general form for the entire set of Balkan
    countries. In this sense, after candidate or applicant presented the
    reports on the progress and hanging problems in every country to the
    EU, Rehn added that - the strategy of enlargement is a test of our
    to the European future of the Western Balkans and Turkey -.

    - In these difficult times of economic crisis -, he added, - the
    requests of commitment adherence of Albania and Montenegro indicate the
    continuo of our Union and our role in the promotion of the stability,
    the safety and the prosperity -. Croatia, with a population of 4,4
    million inhabitants, has opened the negotiation of 28 of 35 chapters,
    of which 13 already have been closed by the agreement.

    Brussels emphasizes the progress in new legislation and the
    administrative changes impelled by the Government of Zagreb especially
    in - the judicial system and the struggle against the corruption
    and the organized crime -, according to the report of the Commission
    presented yesterday. Other advances are registered in the reduction
    of hanging cases earlier in the courts of law, and the steps given
    to solve the problems of the minorities, especially the gypsies.

    The report point ess, that the Government of Zagreb will have to
    intensify its reforms especially - to improve the independence and
    efficiency of the judicial system - and - fight against the organized
    crime and the corruption -. On the other hand, - the Iceland's request
    for adherence -, points out the commissioner, - adds a new dimension
    to our agenda of enlargement -.

    Iceland, one of the countries most struck by the recent financial
    crisis, has showed its will to intensify its negotiations for a prompt
    integration, which might coincide with that of Croatia. According to
    Rehn, if both countries - are ready more or less at the same time,
    and if the difference is a few months, then from the point of view of
    the EU, it would be reasonable that both countries reach the closure
    at the same time -.

    The march of Turkey, which began the adherence negotiations on October
    3, 2005, is equally valuable but much slower. The open opposition of
    France and Germany and the ballast of the territorial conflict with
    Cyprus would be the fundamental obstacles. Until now Turkey has opened
    11 out of 33 negotiation chapters and has merely managed to close the
    politically the easiest one, as the one of Science and Investigation.

    Rehn praised the mutual normalization in Turkey and Armenia relations,
    which - constituted a historical step and the EU welcomes it as a
    contribution to the stability of the region -. Brussels also sees as
    a positive gesture the opening of the public television channel in
    Kurdish language.

    Nevertheless, the report is very critical towards the existing
    problems on the subject of domestic violence. The report mentions an
    investigation according to which 39 % of the women say to have been a
    victims of physical violence and 15 % of them having suffered sexual
    abuses. Commissioner Rehn expressed his worry for the shortcomings
    on the subject of freedom of expression, where - the intellectuals
    keep on feeling bothered by his declarations
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