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Croatia and the European Union: accession as transformation
[collection article]
Corporate Editor
Institute of Public Finance, Zagreb
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Kroatien
Abstract This chapter summarizes the findings of the three year long project
of monitoring Croatia's preparations for EU accession, if and when
it comes, performed by a group of Croatian researchers. The first
hypothesis is that a kind of real integration of Croatia in the European
space already exists and t... view more
This chapter summarizes the findings of the three year long project
of monitoring Croatia's preparations for EU accession, if and when
it comes, performed by a group of Croatian researchers. The first
hypothesis is that a kind of real integration of Croatia in the European
space already exists and that it should be further deepened through
improvements of the relevant institutions and harmonisation with
European standards and requirements. The second is that despite the
professed dedication of Croatia’s government to joining the EU and
encouraging signals from the EU, hesitations in structural and institutional
reforms may hamper not only the success of future negotiations
and delay Croatia's accession, but also the transformation to a modern
and efficient state. The first part of the chapter analyses the changes in
the last couple of years in Croatia regarding the administrative and judicial
structure, economic sustainability and democracy, human rights
and fundamental freedoms; the second part emphasizes the effects of
the latest EU enlargement, competitive pressures and market forces, the
free movement of workers, knowledge and innovations, social issues,
the real estate market and spatial planning, and regional policy. The
chapter ends with conclusions and recommendations. We would lay
stress on the necessity of structural reforms in legislation, the judiciary
and the public administration, the restructuring of agriculture and shipbuilding,
the privatization of public utilities and tourism; patient and shrewd negotiations with the EU, and the possibility of bearing in mind
some kind of virtual membership that could help us deepen de facto
integration even without de jure membership status. Croatia's future
will depend on capabilities of the government to implement and enforce
the reforms and on the readiness of citizens to endure necessary adjustments
even when they are painful, making certain sacrifices in the present
for the sake of benefit in the future.... view less
Keywords
EU; transformation; Croatia; post-socialist country; judicial power; human rights; democracy; public administration; economic factors; joining the European Union; political reform
Classification
European Politics
Method
descriptive study
Free Keywords
European Union; Croatia; accession
Collection Title
Croatian accession to the European Union. Vol. 3, Facing the challenges of negotiations
Editor
Katarina Ott
Document language
English
Publication Year
2005
City
Zagreb
Page/Pages
p. 1-26
ISBN
953-6047-58-6
Status
Published Version; reviewed
Licence
Creative Commons - Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works