Croatia could make major progress in its European Union entry negotiations in the next few weeks, the head of the European Union Delegation to Croatia, Paul Vandoren, said on Friday, but he declined to say if Zagreb could still conclude talks this year as the government hopes.
Unless member states raise last-minute objections, Croatia should now be able to open the last three chapters, including the toughest two -- Competition, and Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, Vandoren said in an interview with Reuters news agency.
Speaking of the Judiciary and Fundamental Rights chapter, which has been on hold mostly due to questions about Croatia's cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Vandoren said he expected the chapter to be opened this month or the next.
"Discussions (with member states) seem to be evolving in a positive manner and therefore I expect that the opening of the chapter can take place in the next few weeks ... before the end of June or in July," he said.
"The challenge for Croatia is to show to the member states that indeed there is a track record for change. This is true for the reform of the judiciary, for the fight against corruption and respect for human rights," he added.
The Competition chapter should also be opened at the next intergovernmental accession conference in Brussels, after Croatia concluded an international sale tender for its ailing shipyards.
"I hope that should be the case and I don't see why this cannot take place," Vandoren said, adding that the member states should very soon reach a consensus on opening the last chapter, the Common Foreign and Security Policy, which has been blocked by Croatia's EU neighbour Slovenia.
Vandoren said that a possible rejection of the border arbitration agreement at a referendum in Slovenia this Sunday should have little impact on Croatia's accession talks.
"The EU has always indicated that this needs to be dealt with at the bilateral level, so I don't expect that this will influence the remainder of the negotiation process," Vandoren said.
He said that the Greek debt crisis, which had absorbed most the bloc's attention this year, should not stall Croatia's progress either.
"I do believe this situation is now under control and it should have no impact on the accession or funding regarding Croatia."
Vandoren urged the Croatian government to work on improving public administration so it can prepare infrastructure, farming or environmental projects that could qualify for some of the 3.5 million euros of funding earmarked for Croatia after it joins.
"It would be a pity if Croatia would not be ready with its administrative capacity, because if Croatia is not ready it will not be able to use the funding," he said.
