By Martin Banks - 1st December 2011
The integration of the whole of south-east Europe in the EU family is in Croatia's interests
Jerzy Buzek
Parliament adopted a resolution which endorses Croatia's accession to the EU.
It now paves the way for the country's accession treaty to be signed in Brussels on 9 December and for the Croatia to join the EU in July 2013, becoming the 28th member of the EU.
Among other requirements, the text adopted by members at the Brussels mini plenary calls on the future member state to combat homophobia and prevent homophobic violence.
The call follows this year's "Pride" march in Split, which was subject to violent attacks.
In the resolution adopted on Thursday, parliament says it "is deeply concerned by the violence against participants in the LGBT pride march in Split on 11 June 2011 and the inability of the Croatian authorities to protect the participants".
It says parliament "urges the Croatian authorities fully to investigate and prosecute the crimes committed and to develop strategies for preventing similar incidents in the future", and "calls on the Croatian authorities quickly to adopt and implement an action plan against homophobia".
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, co-president of parliament's intergroup on LGBT rights, welcomed the move, saying, "Parliament has consistently called for the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Europe, including in the western Balkans.
"The work of some local and national authorities in Croatia is slowly leading to a better situation for everyone, but more is needed to ensure LGBT people can live free from fear and discrimination in south-eastern Europe."
Her comments were endorsed by Marije Cornelissen, a Dutch MEP member of the intergroup, who said, "Croatia will be welcome in the EU in 2013, but until then—and once it has become a member state—it will need to pay close attention to the rights of minorities."
Cornelissen said, "During Split Pride earlier this year, local authorities were unable to protect me and other participants from violent demonstrators. I look forward to the day when Croatia, with the help of other European countries including the Netherlands, will adopt an action plan against homophobia and transphobia."
Meanwhile, parliament's president Jerzy Buzek welcomed the outcome of the accession vote, saying, "Today is a good day for Croatia and the EU. Parliament has thrown its full weight behind Croatia's EU accession.
"We have given a clear sign of the extent to which the EU wants Croatia. Croatians will soon be able to show their support for the EU through a referendum.
"I was in Croatia a month ago. I have seen how the prospect of EU membership has helped changing the country for the better. Reforms have been tough and even unpopular at times, but this change was not for the sake of EU membership alone, it was first and foremost in the interest of all Croatians.
"From labour market to research, from trade to transport, Croatia is now a more modern and competitive country ready to face the challenges of the future - even during this difficult economic juncture. EU membership will help Croatia even further."
The Polish MEP added, "Croatia's achievements deserve unqualified recognition. Yet, we both need to continue tackling issues where we know that there is room for progress.
"A particular focus should be paid on continuing the fight against corruption and increasing the efficiency of the judiciary so as to better protect fundamental rights, improve the business environment and transparency in public administration.
"During my visit, I have put a specific accent on the need to continue to pursue and foster regional reconciliation and good neighbourly relations: not only with Serbia, but also urging unity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this sense, I welcomed the pledge by the Croatian government not to use bilateral issues to slow down the pace of integration in neighbouring countries.
"The integration of the whole of south-east Europe in the EU family is in Croatia's interests."
Meanwhile, UKIP leader Nigel Farage has accused the EU of "bribing" the country with "jobs for the political elite and lambasted the lack of free debate in the Croatian press."
He said, "Last September I went to Croatia. I wanted to find out whether a proper national debate is going on; whether there was afair campaign.
"What did I find? I found that the EU is doing everything it can to bribe the poitical class in Croatia - doing it quite well, really, too. Already the EU has given 320 million euros to Croatia in what is called pre-accession aid. The EU has also just spent a million euros on a blatant propaganda advertising campaign."
