Negotiations on full EU membership, which are most likely to start in March 2005, are absolutely of primary importance and joining the EU is the most important issue regarding Croatia's future, said Foreign Minister Zuzul, whom the government recently appointed head of Croatia's team for negotiations with the EU. European Integration Minister Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic was appointed his deputy and the chief negotiator.
The Foreign Ministry and the European Integration Ministry have prepared a draft structure of the negotiating delegation. Under the draft, the delegation will also include two deputy chief negotiators, a secretary, and about ten members. Separate working groups will be formed for the adjustment of the legislation for each of the 31 chapters from the EU's acquis communautaire. The names of the rest of the members of the negotiating team will be made public in several weeks.
The negotiating team will be supported by the chief negotiator's secretariat in the European Integration Ministry and by the administration for the support in the process of negotiations on joining the EU, Croatia's Mission with the EU in Brussels, the Croatian Foreign Ministry's analysis department, the European integration department and the European Integration Ministry's analysis department.
Ministers have announced that the process of the so-called screening would soon be launched, notably a detailed adjustment of Croatia's legislation to EU standards.
The current European Commission, whose term expires on November 1, will prepare a pre-accession strategy for Croatia which should be published on October 6.
Answering a reporter's question if former European Integration Minister Neven Mimica, who was the chief negotiator in the talks on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, would be part of the negotiating team, Grabar Kitarovic said she was not certain whether Mimica wanted to be part of the team and added that according to some media reporters he was " not interested" in the position.
Asked to comment on possible obstacles from the Slovenian side on Croatia's path to the EU, Zuzul said he expected support from Slovenia, not obstacles.