Progress in negotiations will entirely depend on the sustainability of political reforms and commitments regarding regional cooperation with other countries of the former Yugoslavia and other international commitments, including cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal, the EC said in the pre-accession strategy for Croatia.
In the three-page document, the Commission suggests that the enhanced pre-accession strategy for candidate-countries, adopted by the European Council in Luxembourg in 1997, be expanded to include Croatia, and recalls the European Council's decision of June to open talks with Croatia early in 2005.
The Commission points out that intensified dialogue should continue with Croatia on issues stated in the avis, such as relations with the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague, refugee return, judicial reform, regional cooperation and the fight against corruption.
The European Union's executive body proposes that the general negotiating framework be based on several principles.
The negotiations should be conducted in line with the membership criteria that were defined in Copenhagen in 1993.
Also mentioned in the document is the possibility of suspension of the talks.
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 points out that the negotiations with Croatia will be conducted according to the country's own merits.
Transitional arrangements should be limited with regard to their scope and time framework and they should not have a significant impact on the competitiveness or functioning of the internal market, reads the document.
The Commission further states that the process of screening - a detailed analysis of the degree of legislative adjustment - will start immediately after the formal opening of the talks.
Screening is a necessary part of the process which makes it possible to define negotiating positions.
As soon as screening for an individual chapter of the acquis communautaire is completed, the Commission will propose the start of talks on that chapter.
The proper take-over and application of the acquis communautaire will determine the pace of the talks.
Before the start of talks on every chapter, the Commission will propose to the Council conditions which have to be met so that talks on that chapter could be temporarily closed.
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. Next year, it will be granted 105 million euros (80 million from PHARE and 25 million from ISPA).
In 2006 Croatia will be able to draw 140 million euros (80 million from PHARE, 35 million from ISPA and 25 million from SAPARD).
As of next autumn, the Commission will start releasing annual reports on Croatia's progress, as was the case with other candidate countries which became full members this year.