Croatia must do its homework before joining the European Union next summer, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said in an interview with German news magazine Der Spiegel, published in this week's edition.
Fuele said that the European Commission's monitoring report, released earlier this month, was a wake-up call for Zagreb, emphasising that the accession process could be halted at any moment.
"We wanted to wake up Croatia with our last report," Fuele said. "Croatia must do its homework in the area of competition policy, justice and fundamental rights," he added.
Fuele confirmed that problems with Bulgaria and Romania had brought about a new approach to enlargement. "After the accession (of Romania and Bulgaria) we have introduced a new monitoring mechanism to ensure that the country acts in accordance with its European responsibilities in all areas after it joins the EU."
Fuele noted that the EU member states were directly involved in the accession process, adding that "the EU countries can, if it turns out that there are requirements that the candidate has failed to meet, slow or stop the process at any moment."
Fuele said he believed that Zagreb was on the right track to join the EU next summer. "I am confident that the country (will make the necessary improvements) in time," he concluded.
