BETA
Home MEPs Dossiers Committees Subjects Blog About Dumps
download json


2008/2692(RSP) Resolution on the Croatia 2008 progress report

Progress: Procedure completed

Legal Basis:
RoP 132-p2

Events

2009/10/06
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
SP(2009)3244
2009/03/12
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
Documents
Results of vote in Parliament
2009/03/12
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

Following the debate which took place during the sitting of 11 March 2009, the European Parliament adopted by 548 votes to 40, with 34 abstentions, a resolution on the Croatia 2008 progress report.

Parliament commends Croatia for the good results it has achieved during 2008 in adopting the legislation and carrying out the reforms required to qualify for EU membership. It is confident that the goal of concluding negotiations in 2009 can be achieved provided the Government of Croatia steps up its efforts to address particularly the more sensitive issues linked to the accession process, including fighting organised crime and corruption.

Parliament also welcomes the Commission's recommendation that the Council should set up the ad hoc technical working party in charge of drafting the Accession Treaty.

Copenhagen criteria :

Political criteria : MEPs are satisfied with the progress achieved as regards the adoption of key documents and key legislation in certain areas, notably anti-discrimination, women's rights, minority rights and return of refugees. However, they point out that swift and effective implementation is now crucial. They consider that there is a need to pursue the reform of public administration with the introduction of a new salary system and a comprehensive overhaul of administrative procedures in order to increase transparency, accountability and de-politicisation of the Croatian civil service. They call for specific attention to be paid to the regional and local administrations since their ability to take on new responsibilities is crucial to the success of the decentralisation process. Other issues are highlighted by the Parliament such as the importance of providing legal certainty and equality before the law to foreign investors and increased efforts to be made in the judicial sector.

Parliament takes note of the statement made by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia before the United Nations Security Council on 12 December 2008, in which he indicates that Croatia has responded to most requests for assistance made by the Office of the Prosecutor, whilst pointing out that certain key military documents relating to the Gotovina case remain unaccounted for. It urges the Government to step up its efforts to make these key documents available immediately to the Tribunal.

As regards the fight against corruption, MEPs emphasise that the increased investigative and prosecutorial activities of the Office for the Fight against Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK) must be matched by equal police and judicial efforts if these activities are to produce results. They are of the opinion that zero tolerance must be shown at all levels and that verdicts must be reached and enforced, including the seizure of assets. Although MEPs are satisfied with the freedom of the press in Croatia, they draws attention to recent cases of intimidation and even killings of journalists investigating cases of corruption and organised crime.

Parliament considers that there is a need to concentrate on the economic and social rights of minorities , in particular their access to employment. It welcomes the continuing progress as regards the education of minorities even if the current structures maintain segregation rather than aiming at integration of different ethnic groups (notably the Roma).

On the issue of refugees; Parliament takes note that, whilst tangible results have been achieved in providing the conditions for refugee returns, much remains to be done in order to make these returns sustainable in terms of housing, particularly for former holders of tenancy rights in urban areas, of integration, and of access to the labour market. It calls on the authorities, at national and local level, to show zero tolerance towards episodes of racial hatred and any other form of hatred and ensure that such episodes are duly prosecuted.

Economic criteria : MEPs are encouraged by the increase in employment and the sustained economic growth recorded by Croatia. Nevertheless, they point to persisting high unemployment rates amongst young people and minorities. They consider that it will be necessary to accelerate the pace of structural reforms. Parliament calls on the Croatian authorities to comply with the goals laid down in the EU climate package and give adequate priority to energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy, particularly in coastal areas.

Ability to assume the obligations of membership : Parliament is generally pleased with the overall pace of legislative alignment. However, greater attention should be paid to the quality of legislation. It encourages the Croatian authorities to pursue their efforts to develop the administrative capacity required to implement the acquis. Parliament calls on the Croatian Government, with the support of the Commission, to adopt specific measures to offset the social costs of the restructuring. It also invites the Commission and the Council to take into account the current economic and financial crisis when reviewing progress by Croatia in implementing the necessary reforms. In addition, Parliament notes that progress in the agricultural sector has been uneven and calls for new measures in this area. Parliament wishes to see a better absorption of EU pre-accession funds.

Regional Cooperation : lastly, Parliament regrets that accession negotiations have been effectively blocked for a considerable time because of bilateral issues. MEPs underline that these issues should not be an obstacle to progress in accession negotiations. They urge the Croatian Government and the governments of the neighbouring countries to solve expeditiously all their outstanding issues. MEPs stress that good neighbourly relations remain a key element of the European integration process. In this context, they welcome the readiness of Croatia and Slovenia to accept the mediation offer made by the Commission.

Documents
T6-0133/2009
2009/03/12
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2009/03/11
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
B6-0104/2009
2009/03/11
   EP - Debate in Parliament
Documents
Debate in Parliament
2008/11/05
   all - Additional information
Details

SEC(2008)2694

Documents

Activities

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

2021-12-18Show (6) Changes | Timetravel
docs/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-6-2009-0104_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-6-2009-0104_EN.html
events/1/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20090311&type=CRE
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/EN&reference=20090311&type=CRE
events/3
date
2009-03-12T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-6-2009-0133_EN.html title: T6-0133/2009
summary
events/3
date
2009-03-12T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-6-2009-0133_EN.html title: T6-0133/2009
summary
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 132-p2
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 123-p2
2020-01-19Show (3) Changes | Timetravel
docs/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B6-2009-104&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-6-2009-0104_EN.html
docs/1/body
EC
events/3/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P6-TA-2009-133
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-6-2009-0133_EN.html
2019-07-06Show (11) Changes | Timetravel
activities
  • date: 2008-11-05T00:00:00 body: all type: Additional information
  • date: 2009-03-11T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20090311&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2009-03-12T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=16880&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P6-TA-2009-133 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T6-0133/2009 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
commission
  • body: EC dg: Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations commissioner: REHN Olli
committees
    docs
    • date: 2009-03-11T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B6-2009-104&language=EN title: B6-0104/2009 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
    • date: 2009-10-06T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=16880&j=0&l=en title: SP(2009)3244 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
    events
    • date: 2008-11-05T00:00:00 type: Additional information body: all summary: SEC(2008)2694
    • date: 2009-03-11T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20090311&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
    • date: 2009-03-12T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=16880&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
    • date: 2009-03-12T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P6-TA-2009-133 title: T6-0133/2009 summary: Following the debate which took place during the sitting of 11 March 2009, the European Parliament adopted by 548 votes to 40, with 34 abstentions, a resolution on the Croatia 2008 progress report. Parliament commends Croatia for the good results it has achieved during 2008 in adopting the legislation and carrying out the reforms required to qualify for EU membership. It is confident that the goal of concluding negotiations in 2009 can be achieved provided the Government of Croatia steps up its efforts to address particularly the more sensitive issues linked to the accession process, including fighting organised crime and corruption. Parliament also welcomes the Commission's recommendation that the Council should set up the ad hoc technical working party in charge of drafting the Accession Treaty. Copenhagen criteria : Political criteria : MEPs are satisfied with the progress achieved as regards the adoption of key documents and key legislation in certain areas, notably anti-discrimination, women's rights, minority rights and return of refugees. However, they point out that swift and effective implementation is now crucial. They consider that there is a need to pursue the reform of public administration with the introduction of a new salary system and a comprehensive overhaul of administrative procedures in order to increase transparency, accountability and de-politicisation of the Croatian civil service. They call for specific attention to be paid to the regional and local administrations since their ability to take on new responsibilities is crucial to the success of the decentralisation process. Other issues are highlighted by the Parliament such as the importance of providing legal certainty and equality before the law to foreign investors and increased efforts to be made in the judicial sector. Parliament takes note of the statement made by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia before the United Nations Security Council on 12 December 2008, in which he indicates that Croatia has responded to most requests for assistance made by the Office of the Prosecutor, whilst pointing out that certain key military documents relating to the Gotovina case remain unaccounted for. It urges the Government to step up its efforts to make these key documents available immediately to the Tribunal. As regards the fight against corruption, MEPs emphasise that the increased investigative and prosecutorial activities of the Office for the Fight against Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK) must be matched by equal police and judicial efforts if these activities are to produce results. They are of the opinion that zero tolerance must be shown at all levels and that verdicts must be reached and enforced, including the seizure of assets. Although MEPs are satisfied with the freedom of the press in Croatia, they draws attention to recent cases of intimidation and even killings of journalists investigating cases of corruption and organised crime. Parliament considers that there is a need to concentrate on the economic and social rights of minorities , in particular their access to employment. It welcomes the continuing progress as regards the education of minorities even if the current structures maintain segregation rather than aiming at integration of different ethnic groups (notably the Roma). On the issue of refugees; Parliament takes note that, whilst tangible results have been achieved in providing the conditions for refugee returns, much remains to be done in order to make these returns sustainable in terms of housing, particularly for former holders of tenancy rights in urban areas, of integration, and of access to the labour market. It calls on the authorities, at national and local level, to show zero tolerance towards episodes of racial hatred and any other form of hatred and ensure that such episodes are duly prosecuted. Economic criteria : MEPs are encouraged by the increase in employment and the sustained economic growth recorded by Croatia. Nevertheless, they point to persisting high unemployment rates amongst young people and minorities. They consider that it will be necessary to accelerate the pace of structural reforms. Parliament calls on the Croatian authorities to comply with the goals laid down in the EU climate package and give adequate priority to energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy, particularly in coastal areas. Ability to assume the obligations of membership : Parliament is generally pleased with the overall pace of legislative alignment. However, greater attention should be paid to the quality of legislation. It encourages the Croatian authorities to pursue their efforts to develop the administrative capacity required to implement the acquis. Parliament calls on the Croatian Government, with the support of the Commission, to adopt specific measures to offset the social costs of the restructuring. It also invites the Commission and the Council to take into account the current economic and financial crisis when reviewing progress by Croatia in implementing the necessary reforms. In addition, Parliament notes that progress in the agricultural sector has been uneven and calls for new measures in this area. Parliament wishes to see a better absorption of EU pre-accession funds. Regional Cooperation : lastly, Parliament regrets that accession negotiations have been effectively blocked for a considerable time because of bilateral issues. MEPs underline that these issues should not be an obstacle to progress in accession negotiations. They urge the Croatian Government and the governments of the neighbouring countries to solve expeditiously all their outstanding issues. MEPs stress that good neighbourly relations remain a key element of the European integration process. In this context, they welcome the readiness of Croatia and Slovenia to accept the mediation offer made by the Commission.
    • date: 2009-03-12T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
    links
    other
    • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/ title: Enlargement commissioner: REHN Olli
    procedure/legal_basis/0
    Rules of Procedure EP 123-p2
    procedure/legal_basis/0
    Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 123-p2
    procedure/subject
    Old
    • 8.20 Enlargement of the Union
    • 8.20.01 Candidate countries
    New
    8.20
    Enlargement of the Union
    8.20.01
    Candidate countries
    procedure/subtype
    Old
    Resolution on statements
    New
    Resolution on statement
    2014-11-10Show (5) Changes
    activities
    • date: 2008-11-05T00:00:00 body: all type: Additional information
    • date: 2009-03-11T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20090311&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
    • date: 2009-03-12T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=16880&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P6-TA-2009-133 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T6-0133/2009 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
    committees
      links
      other
      • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/ title: Enlargement commissioner: REHN Olli
      procedure
      legal_basis
      Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 123-p2
      reference
      2008/2692(RSP)
      title
      Resolution on the Croatia 2008 progress report
      geographical_area
      Croatia
      stage_reached
      Procedure completed
      subtype
      Resolution on statements
      type
      RSP - Resolutions on topical subjects
      subject
      @parltrack
      @parltrack@eupolicy.social
      [javascript protected email address]
      code AGPLv3.0+
      data ODBLv1.0
      site content CC-By-Sa-3.0

      ParlTrack - 2011-2024

      © European Union, 2011 – Source: European Parliament
      Hosted by AS250.net Foundation