Process of entering

Relationships of EU and Croatia started to develop with international recognition of Croatia as independent state. These relationships got stronger in last 6 years, along with the interest of Croatia for entering into European Union.

Since Croatia got independent, the council of ministers directed the development of Croatia’s trading bonuses. 1997. it defined political and economic terms for development of bilateral relations with Croatia. 1999. European commission suggested creating of Stabilization and entering process for 5 states of southeast Europe – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Monte Negro. They wanted to achieve stability, but Croatia showed big interest for becoming a fully righted member of EU.

After ''The process of Stabilization and socializing'' European union offered the new generation of “Stabilization and socializing agreement” (SSA) which Croatia signed after negotiation 29. October 2001. With that EU accomplished a new joined member and potential candidate for fully membership. Croatia already by than got various programs of technical and financial help including more than 370 mil. Euros.

Croatia than addicted to adjust her economic, political and justice system, to the system of EU. Very important role here has adjustment of Croatia’s justice system. Until the entry into force of the “Stabilization and socializing agreement”, on the force was “Temporary agreement”.

Croatia 21. February 2003. gave an apply for fully membership in EU after which the Government of Croatia got that same year a “Questionnaire” from the EU. That is a document that contents of over than 4000 questions about functioning the candidate state. Croatian government gave answers on “Questionnaire” in 3 months.

After that European commission in cooperation with European council gave positive opinion (“Avis”) about these answers.

Right after that Croatia got status of “Candidate for fully membership in EU”. Her start of negotiations was scheduled for the start of this year. In these negotiations EC was in charge to prepare financial and technical sources of help and to make a detailed check of Croatia’s justice adjustment with justice of EU. But, negotiations were delayed because of opinion of the EC that Croatia did not complete all the terms, which means that she did not cooperated enough with the Haag’s court (Gotovina case).