EU Negotiations of the WB Countries: Case Study Croatia

1. EU Negotiations of the WB Countries: Case Study Croatia Marija Pejčinović Burić, former State Secretary for European Affairs, Republic of Croatia Regional Academy for Democracy, Subotica, 25th February 2013 marija.pejcinovic.buric@gmail.com

2. Why to continue EU enlargement? • Overall positive results of the past enlargements: peace and prosperity – growth and employment (both in existing and new member states) • Development of new policies: such as regional policy, cohesion policy, agricultural policy, environmental policy etc. • To complete European project as it was designed at the begining • “Europe cannot give up enlargement without denying its vocation, or give up deepening without loosing its dynamism”, Ph. De Schouetheete • Ever bigger Union poses challenges to all of its members – all must want it to be a success story!

3. EU Enlargement • Important policy of the EU • Symbolizes the success of the European project • Marks differencies of the member states views over final reach of the EU

4. The Nature of the Enlargement Process • Political from both sides • Yet, there are set criteria to be fulfilled and immense, real and concrete work to be done - in and by the (potential) candidate • For a transition country probably the journey is more important than the final goal!

5. European Integration – what does it really entail? • - Genuine political will • Prepardness to undertake and implement complex reforms • Public support • Political consensus (if feasible) of relevant stakeholders

6. Croatia and EU • Long and difficult journey • Preparations for membership vs. transition process • Six years of memebership negotiations • Inclusive process: Government, Parliament; civil society • Croatia 28th EU member

7. Croatian Path Towards the European Union membership Full-fleged EU Membership 1st July 2013 Opening of the Negotiations 3rd Oct.2005 Questionaire 10th July2003 Avis EC 20th April2004 Closing Negotiations 30th June 2011 Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) 29th Oct.2001 Associate Member Candidate Status 18th June2004 Answers 9 th Oct.2003 Application for Full-fledged EU Membership 21st Feb.2003

8. Criteria for EU Membership Copenhagen Criteria POLITICAL Democracy Rule of Law Minority Rights Regional co-operation ICTY ECONOMIC Market Economy Capacity to compete on the Internal market LEGAL Acquis Communautaire Madrid Criterion ADMINISTRATION Efficient Public Administration

9. 35 Acquis Chapiters Free Movement of Goods Free Movement of Persons (Workers) Right of Establishment and Free Movement of Services Free Movement of Capital Procurement Company Law Intelectual Proprety Coimpetition Financial Services Information Society and Media Agriculture and Rural Development Food Safety, Veterinary and Fitosanitary Inspection Fisheries Transport Policy Energy Taxation Ekonomic and Monetary Union Statistics Social Policy and Employment Trans-European Networks Entreprise and Industrial Policy Regional Policy and Co-ordination of Structural Instruments Judiciary and Fundamental Freedoms Justice, Freedom and Security Science, Education and Culture Environment Consumer and Health Protection Customs Union External Relations Foreign, Security and Defence Policy Financial Control Financial and Budgetary Provisons Institutions Other Issues

10. Some major issues... I) External: Postponed Opening of Negotiations Negotiations opened together with Turkey (coupled in the beginning) Initial setting-up of new “tecnology” for negotiations – benchmarks and monitoring Slovenian blocade Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty Full cooperation with the ICTY

11. Some major issues... • II) Internal: • Structural Reforms in subsidised sectors, such as Shipbuilding, Steelworks and Agriculture • Judiciary Reform and Fight Against Corruption • Public Administration Reform

12. EU Negotiations principles • Negotiations principles: • Special kind of negotiations (not classical negotiations); transitional periods - not negotiating acquis communautaire; but conditions and modalities of implementation, provided: • it does not disrupt single market competition • it is about vital national interest • it entails limited financial costs • Individual merits • Negotiations speed linked with the fulfilment of membership criteria

13. EU Negotiations – complex structure • Negotiations structure: - Government: State Delegation for Negotiations Coordination Committee on Accession Negotiation Team for the Accession Working Groups - Parliament: National Committee for the Follow-up of Negotiations (European Integration Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee)

14. Why Complex Structure? Transparency of the negotiation process Education – spreading of knowledge and expertise gained through negotiations Synergy – between governmental and non-governmental sector

15. Negotiations Span Timeline: - expectations: 2005 – 2009 - finally: 2005 – 2013; - six years (under: Austrian, German, Portugese, Slovenian, French, Czech, Swedish, Spanish, Belgium, Hungarian and Polish presidencies)

16. Some Lessons Learnt • The Accession process is very political, especially at the beginning and at the end of negotiations • The actual lenght of the process may be longer than expected • For the adequate speed of internal reforms (and negotiations) it is important to set timeframes • Crucial to reach the point of no return in implementation of reforms (irreversibility) • Open bilateral issues may hinder or prolonge the negotiations and accession process • The positions in negotiations of the three main EU institutions are: EP is an advocate, EC is a broker and Council is an arbitrator

17. The Lesson Learnt • The real and the hard negotiations are actually held at home!

18. Thank you!