Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – Monitoring report on Croatia’s accession preparations

Accession negotiations with Croatia were closed, with the agreement of all Member States, in June 2011, as a result of Croatia fulfilling all the benchmarks set in the negotiating chapters. On this basis, the Accession Treaty was signed by Member States and Croatia on 9 December 2011, and Croatia will become a Member of the European Union on 1 July 2013, subject to ratification by the national parliaments of all Members States.

In the course of the negotiations, Croatia has agreed to a number of commitments, which have to be implemented by the date of accession at the latest, unless specific transitional arrangements have been agreed.

According to Article 36 of the Act of Accession, the Commission shall closely monitor all commitments undertaken by Croatia in the accession negotiations focusing in particular on competition policy, judiciary and fundamental rights, and freedom security and justice. The Act further provides that as an integral part of its regular monitoring tables and reports the Commission shall issue six-monthly assessments up to accession on the implementation of these commitments undertaken by Croatia in these areas.

In line with Article 36 of the Act of Accession, this report assesses the progress made by Croatia in its preparations for accession in the period 1 September 2011 to 29 February 2012, provides an overall assessment of the level of preparedness for membership and highlights the areas where further efforts are necessary in order for Croatia to be ready for membership on 1 July 2013.

This assessment is based on information gathered and analysed by the Commission, including input provided by Croatia, as well as information shared by Member States, international and civil society organisations in their regular contacts with the Commission. The assessment is also based on the Commission's findings in its updated Monitoring Tables, a working tool aimed at following up in detail on all commitments undertaken by Croatia in the context of the negotiations. The Monitoring Tables are updated every six months.

Through this report, the Commission also wishes to assist Croatia in its further preparation for membership.

EUR-Lex: COM(2012)186: Follow the progress of this document through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2012:186:FIN

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