Window of opportunity

Croatia needs to speed up its reforms if it wants backing from parliament for its EU bid, urges Hannes Swoboda

The year 2008 is a crucial one, not just for Croatia but for the whole western Balkan region. For Kosovo and Serbia, not to mention Macedonia, events this year have already been momentous – but it could be argued that what happens in Croatia in 2008 could be the biggest change in Balkan history for a decade. If Croatia wants to be part of the EU in 2010 or 2011, its course has to be set now. If accession talks are not finished this year, the European parliament will not be able to approve the outcome of the process before the upcoming European elections in June 2009. This would mean a delay to the start of the ratification process, which would mean the EU would not be able to welcome its 28th member before 2012 or 2013.

A lot of improvements have been made in Croatia, but a lot still remains to be completed. It is important that both players in the negotiation process play their role - Croatia on the one hand and the European institutions on the other. After major tensions at the beginning of the year, Croatia made an important step forward just a few weeks ago when it agreed to suspend the ecological and fishing protection zone (ZERP) that was unilaterally declared in January, even though there was an existing agreement with Slovenia, Italy and the European commission not to do so. This decision shows not only that the Croatian government is capable of acting with reason but also its strong ambition to do whatever needs to be done to become an EU member. As prime minister Ivo Sanader stated, “The fishery zone is important, but EU accession is an absolute national priority.”

But this case also shows another thing: a combination of pressure and support from the EU can help solve problems and allow the negotiating process to move on. As rapporteur for Croatia’s progress to the EU, it is my duty to handle this combination. In order to finish accession talks this year, there are still some problems that will have to be solved. First of all, there have to be visible improvements in the country’s judicial system, as well as in the fight against the high level of corruption, which still exists in some cases. Having solved the difficulties with the ZERP, there are still some border issues that remain to be answered, however, namely with Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In March 2008 Croatia also started a national programme to restructure its ship building industry. This was long overdue, as progress in this field is of crucial significance for the accession process. For far too long, the industry was not open enough to European competition and Croatian companies were provided with subsidies. The efforts to solve this have to be redoubled.

But let us not forget the positive steps that Croatia has made in the last couple of years. For example, there was the law concerning national minorities, which was exemplary in its scope and understanding. The law improves the integration of minorities in many ways, especially socially and politically. It is important to implement this law properly, especially as far as bilingual education and public administration is concerned. But there was also the continuing cooperation with the international criminal court for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), another positive advance from the Croatian government.

Regardless of the progress made and what still needs to be done, it is clear that we have only a very small window of opportunity to improve the situation in Croatia and in the western Balkan states as a whole. The Slovenian presidency has focused the attention of the rest of Europe on this issue, and that is why some members of the European parliament – namely the Social Democrats – have proposed a so-called Ljubljana process to enhance the economic and social development of the region. It would take into account the special conditions and needs of the western Balkans, including the requirement to extend and modernise the material infrastructure, particularly transport and energy, and to enhance science, research and development.

Of course, development in the western Balkans should not be separated from the rest of the EU, so this regional initiative should be linked to the wider Lisbon process. Stronger cooperation both within the region and with other EU member states would help all the countries of the western Balkans to take a big step forward. A sound economic base is always good for employment and social policy, but it is also a way to support reconciliation between neighbours. This is the best instrument to put an end to nationalism and hatred.