In 2005 Croatia took some important steps to draw closer to the EU, it adopted some laws and now it has to establish a competitive economy and continue with reforms. In that regard, 2007 will be a crucial year, Barroso said after meeting Croatian President Stjepan Mesic in Brussels.
Barroso said that the talks with Mesic focused on the reform of the judiciary and public administration, the fight against corruption, refugee return, and minority rights.
We noted that it was very important to make appropriate steps in those areas, the EC official said.
Asked if Croatia could join the EU by 2009, Barroso declined to be more specific, saying that the pace of admission depended mostly on Croatia, which he said had a very good start of the negotiating process.
President Mesic stated that it was up to Croatia to meet the necessary conditions and standards and accomplish its strategic goal of joining the EU.