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Croatia – Energy

Candidate countries conduct negotiations with the European Union (EU) in order to prepare themselves for accession. The accession negotiations cover the adoption and implementation of European legislation (acquis) and, more specifically, the priorities identified jointly by the Commission and the candidate countries in the analytical assessment (or ‘screening’) of the EU’s political and legislative acquis. Each year, the Commission reviews the progress made by candidates and evaluates the efforts required before their accession. This monitoring is the subject of annual reports presented to the Council and the European Parliament.

ACT

Commission Report [COM(2010) 660 final – SEC(2010) 1326 – Not published in the Official Journal].

SUMMARY

The 2010 Report underlines that satisfactory progress has been made by Croatia. The level of alignment with the acquis was already high. However, effort is still required in the gas and electricity markets.

EUROPEAN UNION ACQUIS (according to the Commission’s words)

European energy policy objectives focus on improving competitiveness, security of energy supplies and the protection of the environment. The energy acquis consists of rules and policies, notably covering competition and state aid (including in the coal sector), the internal energy market (for example, opening up of the electricity and gas markets, promotion of renewable energy sources, crisis management and oil stock security obligations), energy efficiency and nuclear energy.

EVALUATION (according to the Commission’s words)

Further progress has been achieved in the energy chapter, where the level of alignment is high.

However, significant efforts are needed to increase the performance of the administration and independence of the energy sector regulatory authorities.

RELATED ACTS

Commission Report [COM(2009) 533 final – SEC(2009) 1333 – Not published in the Official Journal].

The October 2009 Report noted significant progress. Alignment with the acquis was well advanced, even though Croatia still needed to improve the functioning of the gas and electricity markets, as well as the promotion of renewable energies.

Commission Report [COM(2008) 674 final – SEC(2008) 2694 - Not published in the Official Journal]. The October 2008 report noted progress as regards alignment with the acquis. However, further efforts were required, particularly in the field of energy efficiency, administrative capacity, the disposal of radioactive waste, the energy performance of buildings, the development of renewable energy sources, state aid and crisis management.

Commission Report [COM(2007) 663 final – SEC(2007) 1431 - Not published in the Official Journal]. In its November 2007 report, the Commission concluded that Croatia had made general progress, even if efforts still needed to be made, notably in the areas of energy efficiency and strengthening administrative capacity.

Commission Report [COM(2006) 649 final – SEC(2006) 1385 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2006 report underlined the good progress made by Croatia in terms of security of energy supply and the internal markets in electricity and gas. It nonetheless pointed out that further efforts needed to be made in addressing energy efficiency, nuclear safety and strengthening regulatory capacity.

Commission Report [COM(2005) 561 final – SEC(2005) 1424 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2005 report noted that Croatia had made some progress in the area of energy. It needed, however, to continue building up oil stocks in line with the acquis. Implementing provisions still needed to be adopted for the internal energy market. Administrative capacity also needed strengthening, particularly to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

Commission Opinion [COM(2004) 257 final - Not published in the Official Journal]. In its opinion of April 2004, the Commission invited Croatia to make further efforts to align its legislation with the acquis and to implement it effectively. Generally, Croatia needed to strengthen the competent national energy authorities. Particular efforts were needed to create oil stocks and to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

See also

Last updated: 02.12.2010

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