At the intergovernmental conference, the remaining four negotiation chapters were closed: 8 – Competition Policy, 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, 33 – Financial and Budgetary Provisions and 35 – Other Issues
At the intergovernmental conference, the remaining four negotiation chapters were closed: 8 – Competition Policy, 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, 33 – Financial and Budgetary Provisions and 35 – Other Issues. The accession negotiations between the Republic of Croatia and the European Union were thereby technically closed.
Minister Jandroković expressed his gratitude for the continuous support and intensive efforts to all EU Member States and other parties involved in the process of Croatia’s accession to the European Union, in particular the current presiding Council of Ministers of the EU, foreign minister of the Republic of Hungary János Martony, and European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle and his team. He also congratulated the Croatian negotiating team and the entire negotiating structure on their dedicated work.
He stressed that over the years the Republic of Croatia has demonstrated that hard work and intensive efforts to implement the reforms and fulfil the criteria pay out in the end indeed, and that the conclusion of the negotiations is the best possible way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Croatian independence.
Facing a new and more stringent negotiation methodology, Croatia invested great efforts and resources in order to fulfil the demanding criteria and commitments, minister Jandroković said. In the extensive work which is now behind us, the greatest efforts were made in order to fulfil the criteria in two chapters closed today – Competition Policy and Judiciary and Fundamental Rights. The reforms implemented, not only in these chapters, but throughout the entire negotiation process, improved the quality of life of Croatian citizens and this is surely the greatest achievement, the minister said.
He said that the Republic of Croatia will continue to be decisive and dedicated in adopting European standards and aligning the national legislation with the European laws. He highlighted that the efforts to implement the reforms will not cease with today’s closure of the remaining chapters, but will carry on, and expressed his belief that in this manner Croatia will join the European Union on 1 July 2013 as a fully prepared and reliable 28th member.
Priorities in the next period include work on the Accession Treaty, and the minister expressed hope that the Treaty will be signed during the upcoming Polish presidency over the European Union so that the ratification process could commence in the member states before the end of this year.
He also said that Croatia will, as a member state, contribute to the continuous success of the European project of peace, safety and prosperity, and added that Croatia’s membership in the EU will have historical impact, not only for the region of South East Europe, but also by creating a European perspective for the countries in the area.
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