ZAGREB, Oct 8 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan will hand over his country's answers to the European Commission questionnaire to EC President Romano Prodi in Brussels on Thursday.
ZAGREB, Oct 8 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan will hand over
his country's answers to the European Commission questionnaire to
EC President Romano Prodi in Brussels on Thursday. #L#
During his day-long stay in Brussels, PM Racan will be received by
Prodi, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy,
Javier Solana, and Belgian Premier Guy Verhofstadt.
Last week the Croatian government adopted answers to the
questionnaire. The answers, on which all bodies of the state
administration worked, are substantial, detailed and offer an
objective survey of all aspects of the work and life in Croatia.
They also show a level of the adjustment of Croatia's legislation to
European Union standards.
The answers will serve as a basis for the European Commission's
assessment of the situation in Croatia and its application for EU
membership. The EC's report on Zagreb's candidature is expected to
be made by April 2004.
The English version of the text of answers has over 3,000 pages plus
4,000 pages of supplements.
EC President Prodi handed over the document with 4,560 questions to
Racan in Zagreb on 10 July, with 15 October as the deadline for
answers.
The questionnaire has three basic chapters, one of them covering
political criteria, the second referring to economic criteria and
third being about the applicant's capability of adopting the EU
acquis communautaire.
After the EC drafts its assessment of the situation and potentials
of a country-applicant, it notifies the EU Council of Ministers of
its opinion. The council makes a final decision on the status of a
candidate. After that, negotiations can begin on full membership in
the Union.
Croatia is trying to catch up with Romania and Bulgaria, that are
likely to enter the EU in 2007.
(hina) ms