BRUSSELS, Oct 6 (Hina) - Progress in Croatia's negotiations with theEuropean Union on full membership of the bloc will depend on thesustainability of political reforms in the country and the fulfilmentof its commitments regarding
regional cooperation with other countriesof the former Yugoslavia and other international commitments,including cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal, the EuropeanCommission said in a document released on Wednesday.
BRUSSELS, Oct 6 (Hina) - Progress in Croatia's negotiations with the
European Union on full membership of the bloc will depend on the sustainability
of political reforms in the country and the fulfilment of its commitments
regarding regional cooperation with other countries of the former Yugoslavia
and other international commitments, including cooperation with the Hague war
crimes tribunal, the European Commission said in a document released on
Wednesday.The Commission said it would propose that the EU Council suspend the
talks with Croatia in the event of serious and continuous violations of the
principles of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms, and the rule of law, on which the EU is based. Any such proposal
should be adopted by a qualified majority of the EU member states.
The document pointed out that the negotiations with Croatia would be
conducted according to its own merits.
After being awarded candidate status, Croatia has gained access to EU
pre-accession funds and will be entitled to use them as of the beginning of
next year.
According to the Commission's proposal, Croatia should receive a total
of 245 million euros over the next two years from three programmes -- PHARE,
ISPA and SAPARD.