John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if progress has been made with regard to Croatia's entry talks to the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18696/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Accession negotiations were opened with Croatia on 3 October 2005. Since then an extensive screening process has been underway. This involves examining the compatibility of Croatian legislation with EU law. In all, there are 35 negotiating chapters which deal with a range of policy areas. After a chapter has been screened, the EU decides, on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, whether or not to open negotiations in that area.

At the Intergovernmental Accession Conference in Brussels on 26th June, six further chapters were opened with Croatia. Twelve chapters have now been opened with Croatia. Benchmarks have been agreed for ten further chapters. These must be achieved before negotiations can be opened in these areas.

Negotiations with Croatia have been provisionally closed in two chapters dealing with Science and Research and with Education and Culture. Chapters remain provisionally closed until all the chapters have been concluded, at which time the Council can vote to bring the negotiations formally to a close or it may decide to revisit certain issues.

The European Commission published its annual enlargement report on 8 November 2006. This included an assessment of the progress made by all candidate countries as well as a general paper on the Union's enlargement strategy. In its report, the Commission commended Croatia on the good start made in its accession negotiations. The report also noted that Croatia needs to accelerate its reforms in order to ensure that its rate of progress is maintained.

In December 2006, the General Affairs and External Relations Council stressed the need for Croatia to continue its reform programme, in particular in the areas of judicial and public administration reform, the fight against corruption and economic reform. The need for Croatia to continue its co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and to pay due attention to good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation was also emphasised by the Commission.