The Council, a joint body in charge of monitoring the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, will address the progress Croatia has made on the road to EU membership.
Arriving at the meeting, Grabar-Kitarovic said that progress in some areas was bigger and in some smaller.
The EU points out that additional effort needs to be invested in some areas and Croatia is aware of this, she said, applauding the fact that the EU underlined that Croatia continued to meet the Copenhagen criteria.
The minister said the talks would focus on judicial and state administration reform, the fight against corruption, and minorities' rights.
In its draft position prepared for the meeting, the EU reminds Croatia that the establishment of an independent, unbiased, reliable, transparent and efficient judicial system is of the utmost importance and a significant condition for strengthening the rule of law and adequately implementing the acquis communautaire.
The draft position notes that Croatia has begun implementing a judicial reform strategy and that some legislative measures have been taken, but asks for further legislative reform. It also notes that although the number of backlog cases has been reduced, it remains high and hampers the judiciary.
The document adds, however, that there is significant room for shortening trials, providing for an appropriate and complete execution of verdicts, rationalising the court network, instituting a comprehensive legal aid system, re-examining a provision on the immunity of judges, making appointments at all levels more objective and transparent, and training and evaluating court officials to provide for their impartiality, independence and efficiency.
The EU underlines the importance of a transparent and fair election of nine judges to the Constitutional Court during 2007.
The Union notes that a professional, responsible, transparent and independent public administration is crucial for a successful implementation of the acquis communautaire and of the utmost importance for all citizens as well as for investors.
Grabar-Kitarovic said Croatia had prepared for this meeting data on judicial reform, the number of reduced backlog cases, the digitising of the cadastre and land books, and progress in suppressing corruption.
She said Croatia had passed a series of laws in January and February to make the state administration more professional and free of politics, to include minorities in the state administration, as well as on political parties and the transfer of powers.
Speaking of refugee return, the minister said 320,000 refugees and displaced persons had returned to Croatia to date. She added Croatia wanted to close this issue so as to be able to focus on economic criteria, raising competitiveness, liberalising the market and everything that would raise living standards.