Screening is the first and very important phase in the process of negotiation, which serves to determine the content of negotiations.
The negotiating team, consisting of some 60 experts, is in charge of two chapters of the acquis communautaire which Croatia will have to adopt in the course of accession talks with the EU. The two chapters refer to science and research and education and culture.
The screening procedure for science and research starts in Brussels on 20 October, when European Commission officials will present nine topics from the chapter, after which Croatian representatives will ask questions. At the second meeting on 15 November, Croatian representatives will speak about differences between relevant Croatian legislation and that of the EU, and EC representatives will ask questions.
The screening procedure for the chapter on education and culture will start on 26 October, and the second meeting will be held on 17 November.
The purpose of screening is to determine differences between the EU legislation and that of a candidate country, which is then discussed in concrete talks with the candidate country which pledges to adopt and apply the acquis communautaire within an agreed period of time.