Croatia moves closer to EU membership

Description:

Consent has been given to close two chapters in Croatia’s admission negotiations, EU sources say.

The chapters on the freedom to provide services and social politics and employment will be formally closed at the inter-governmental conference for EU admission, in Brussels on Monday, Croatia would have more than half of its negotiations closed at that point.

Croatia is expected to continue its admission negotiations early next year. There are 16 more chapters need to be closed, but five have not been opened yet.

Croatia has three chapters that are technically ready for a long time now, including chapters on Foreign, Security and Defense Policies, the Environment, and Fishery. They have not been opened because Slovenia has not given its consent yet.

Slovenian representatives said that they were working on these chapters and that they could be ready in early 2010.

Zagreb could complete its admission negotiations during 2010 and enable Croatia to join the EU in 2011.

Like this story? Why not use our RSS feed and receive updates as soon as they are posted?
Or join us as a member, comment and help us create this site!