EC: Croatia Ready to Join EU

Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fuele. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The European Commission has declared that Croatia is prepared to join the European Union.

The Commission adopted Tuesday its last Monitoring Report on the country's readiness for joining the bloc.

The Commission assesses that Croatia has completed the ten priority actions identified in the previous report in October, and has shown the will and ability to fulfil all outstanding commitments in good time before accession. The Commission concludes that Croatia will be ready to join the European Union on 1 July 2013.

"This report is positive news. Croatia has worked hard and kept the pace of reforms. It made great strides not only since the end of the accession negotiations, but also since the previous Monitoring report. The results it has achieved are directly benefiting its citizens. The country is now ready to take its place in the EU as planned and we are all looking forward to completion of the ratification of the Accession Treaty and welcoming Croatia in the EU on the 1 July", Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fuele said upon presenting the report to the Croatian government in Zagreb.

"Croatia's is a success for enlargement. It is a proof of the credibility of the enlargement policy: when candidate country delivers on the criteria and commitments, the EU delivers on the membership perspective. This is also a good example for the rest of the region as it moves closer to the EU," he added.

The Monitoring Report focuses on Croatia's competition policy, the judiciary and fundamental rights as well as justice, freedom and security. It also assesses that the country has demonstrated its ability to fulfil other commitments related to EU membership, such as getting ready to receive structural funds, in good time before accession. The report states that the EU membership is an additional incentive to carry on with reforms and Croatia is expected to continue developing its track record in the field of the rule of law, notably in the fight against corruption.

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