We shall send a technical mission to help Croatia to meet European Union membership criteria in the sector of border protection, including training of border police officers, and efforts aimed at curbing organised crime, corruption and trafficking in narcotics, Frattini said after meeting Croatian Interior Minister Ivica Kirin in Brussels.
The EC official added that the Commission would soon wrap up reports on the screening of the adjustment of Croatia's legislation for the chapter of justice, freedom and security.
The screening process was completed in late February, and this chapter included issues such as asylum applications, visa regimes, migrations, judicial cooperation, cooperation among countries' customs officials and police in order to prevent organised crime and drug trafficking, the fight against terrorism and topics regulated by the Schengen Agreement.
Asked by reporters what Croatia should do to avoid problems which the acceding countries - Bulgaria and Romania - were facing now, which is why their entry to the Union might be postponed due to poor results in the fight gainst organised crime and corruption, Frattini said that all the Copenhagen criteria must be met. This procedure requires help and the EU is willing to help, he added.
Minister Kirin expressed satisfaction with cooperation and assistance which the EU was offering in the sector of home affairs.
He added that Croatia was preparing measures to establish the Schengen border regime and that it had asked the EU for assistance in providing equipment for the border police and protecting seaports against criminal gangs and terrorists.