Croatia has opened another two chapters in the EU accession talks.
The move follows discussions on Monday between a high-level Croatian delegation, led by its chief negotiator Vladimir Drobnjak, and representatives from the commission and Slovenia's presidency of the EU. The EU recently gave Croatia a timetable to conclude entry negotiations by November 2009. However, Zagreb has only opened negotiations on just over half of the 32 policy areas, or chapters, within the process.
Croatia has opened another two chapters in the EU accession talks.
The move follows discussions on Monday between a high-level Croatian delegation, led by its chief negotiator Vladimir Drobnjak, and representatives from the commission and Slovenia's presidency of the EU.
The EU recently gave Croatia a timetable to conclude entry negotiations by November 2009. However, Zagreb has only opened negotiations on just over half of the 32 policy areas, or chapters, within the process.
During the 45-minute meeting in Brussels, it was agreed that negotiations on energy and transport should be opened.
After the meeting, a joint statement issued by the EU and Croatia said it was agreed that Croatia should establish a “competent and effective” railway regulatory body and continue to improve the quality of ships under the Croatian flag.
Croatia asked for a so-called transitional period for closing the transport chapter, but this was refused.
On the energy front, the statement said Croatia must adopt a new mining act and implement EU common rules for the internal market in electricity and gas.
Croatia will also be required to set an “ambitious” target setting out the percentage of electricity to be produced from renewable sources.
Since the start of negotiations in October 2005, 18 chapters have been opened, of which two have been provisionally closed.
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