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Croatia – External relations, Common Foreign and Security Policy

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.

REFERENCES

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

SUMMARY

The situation presented by the 2010 Report is satisfactory given the high level of alignment achieved by Croatia in the area of external relations and the Common Foreign and Security Policy. However, the country needs to strengthen its administrative capacity concerning development policy and humanitarian aid. It also needs to strengthen arms control and arms-related information.

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

The Community acquis in this field is composed mainly of directly binding legislation which does not require transposition into national law. The EU legislation results from the Union’s multilateral and bilateral agreements in the area of commercial policy and from a number of autonomous preferential trade measures. In the areas of development and humanitarian aid, Member States must comply with the EU’s relevant legislation and international commitments and equip themselves with the necessary capacity to participate in EU policies in these sectors. Candidate countries are invited to bring their policies with respect to third countries and their positions within international organisations gradually into alignment with the policies and positions adopted by the Union and its Member States.

The Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) are based on legal acts, notably legally binding international agreements, and on policy documents. The acquis comprises declarations, actions and political agreements. Member States must be capable of conducting political dialogue within the context of the CFSP, aligning with EU declarations, taking part in EU actions and applying the agreed sanctions and restrictive measures. Candidate countries are invited to align gradually with the EU’s declarations and to apply sanctions and restrictive measures where necessary.

EVALUATION (according to the Commission’s words)

Some progress has been made in the field of external relations. Croatia has reached an advanced level of alignment and is continuing to coordinate and align its positions in international fora. However, Croatia needs to pay attention to fully complying with its international obligations when resorting to safeguards. Further resources need to be allocated to development policy and humanitarian aid.

Croatia has made further progress in the area of foreign, security and defence policy. It has continued to participate in several EU military and civilian missions. Overall, Croatia has reached a high level of alignment. Croatia needs to continue strengthening implementation and enforcement of arms control, including the transparency of arms-related information.

RELATED ACTS

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

Commission Report [COM(2008) 674 final - SEC(2008) 2694 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Commission Report [COM(2007) 663 final - SEC(2007) 1431 - Not published in the Official Journal].

Commission Report [COM(2006) 649 final - SEC(2006) 1385 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Commission Report [COM(2005) 561 final - SEC(2005) 1424 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Commission Opinion [COM(2004) 257 final - Not published in the Official Journal].

See also

Last updated: 03.12.2010

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