The discussion, entitled "Is Croatia on the Path of Reform?", was organised in the European Parliament headquarters by the Adriatic Institute for Public Policy, which declares itself an independent think-tank advocating the establishment of a free market in Croatia.
The discussion, conducted by Edward Lucas of The Economist magazine, was attended by Croatian Justice Ministry state secretary Snjezana Bagic, former Justice Minister Vesna Skare Ozbolt, a British Conservative and member of the European Parliament, Robert Helmer, and Croatia's Ambassador to the EU, Branko Baricevic.
The head and one of the founders of the Adriatic Institute for Public Policy, Natasa Srdoc, was very critical towards the situation in Croatia, saying that the country had not embarked on the path of reform, that tax and economic reform had not been implemented, and that there was no independent judiciary. She cited media reports about high-profile corruption and failure to investigate any of such cases.
State secretary Bagic and Ambassador Baricevic disagreed with the statement, saying that Croatia was making progress, although it could be greater.
"We will continue with the ongoing reforms, including the fight against corruption and money laundering. Progress in the judiciary is visible, but this does not mean that we can say that our work is completed," Bagic said.
European Parliament deputy Roger Helmer said that the EU was based on the rule of law and free market, which he said could not exist if there was endemic corruption. He underlined the importance of the government refraining from interfering excessively in the economy.
Vesna Skare Ozbolt said that Croatia was on the road of reform, but that reforms had been slowed down and that they could slow down even more because next year was an election year.