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European Commission proposes creation of the <a href='http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/enlargement_process/accession_process/how_does_a_country_join_the_eu/sap/history_en.htm' target="_blank" >Stabilisation and Association Process</a> (SAP) for the countries of the Western Balkans. The SAP is the EU’s policy toward the countries of the Western Balkans. Its primary goal is to ensure peace and stability in the region, as well as eventual accession to the EU.
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PRO BA
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The <a href='http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.european-enlargement-croatia-eu-croatia-jcc' target="_blank" >EU-Croatia Joint Consultative Committee</a> (JCC) was created with the support of the Croatian government and the European Commission. Its aim is to strengthen democratic processes and give civil society a voice. It is comprised of 12 members from Croatia, the EU member states and the Croatian NGO and business spheres.
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The <a href='http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/glossary/terms/saa_en.htm' target="_blank" >Stabilisation and Association Agreement</a> provides the framework for relations between the countries of the Western Balkans and the EU. It was what allows for the stabilisation and association process to be implemented. It is the cornerstone of early stage EU accession processes.
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Adoption confirms that Croatia has fulfilled requirements for negotiations and eventual signing of SAA.
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SAA Negotiations between the EU and Croatia begin at the <a href='http://www.mvpei.hr/summit/001124_deklaracija_eng.html' target="_blank" >Zagreb Summit</a>
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Negotiations were carried out between Croatia and the European Commission. The EC served as the lead negotiator, working in close cooperation with a special committee called the COWEB (Council of Ministers Working Group for West Balkan Affairs). December 18th was the final day of the first of three negotiating rounds regarding the SAA, the last of which concluded on May 11, 2001.
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The role of the <a href='http://www.sabor.hr/Default.aspx?sec=2664' target="_blank">European Integration Committee</a> is to monitor legal harmonization between the legal systems of Croatia and the EU. It also evaluates Croatia’s international treaty commitments and monitors the financial assistance provided by the EU. The committee works with relevant bodies within the EU integration process in order to exchange experiences and improve performance.
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Initialling the SAA is an important 1st step that signals the beginning of the SAA ratification process
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The Interim Agreement represented an important step in more closely integrating Croatia’s economy into the EU common market. This agreement governed trade and transport relations between Croatia and the EU from January 1, 2002 to February 1, 2005 when the SAA went into force.
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Signing the <a href='http://www.delhrv.ec.europa.eu/images/article/File/l_02620050128en00030220.pdf' target="_blank">SAA</a> represents a significant contractual obligation between Croatia and the member states of the EU
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In order for the SAA to enter into force, the European Parliament and all EU member states must <a href='http://www.mvpei.hr/ei/default.asp?ru=228&sid=&akcija=&jezik=2' target="_blank" >ratify </a> it as well
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With the EP's ratification, the process for individual member states to ratify the SAA opens
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This agreement used to regulate relations between Croatia and the EU until SAA ratification processes completed
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The official <a href='http://www.uprava.hr/default.aspx?id=12607' target="_blank" >Membership Application</a> further formalizes Croatia's relationship with the EU, stating its explicit interest in becoming a member state and taking on the responsibilities this implies
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The Council of the European Union instructed the European Commission to begin preparing an opinion regarding Croatia's EU membership application
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The questionnaire contains a total of 4,560 questions
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Answering the Questionnaire requires a country to look carefully at its existing legislation and institutions. This demanding task is generally completed over a relatively short period of time and requires the dedication of numerous public servants.
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The <a href='http://www.mvpei.hr/ei/Download/2004/05/31/cr_croat.pdf' target="_blank" >Avis</a>, or opinion, examines Croatia’s capacity, based on its Questionnaire answers, to meet the responsibilities set out in the Copenhagen Criteria (1993) and further conditions that arose throughout the SAP.
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The Republic of Croatia officially granted status of <a href='http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/candidate-countries/index_en.htm' target="_blank" >candidate country</a> for EU membership
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The <a href='http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2004/com2004_0657en01.pdf' target="_blank" >Pre-Accession Strategy</a> helps a country begin thinking about how to draft its negotiating positions, and to fulfil opening benchmarks in Croatia's case.
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With the SAA into force, application of the Interim Agreement is no longer necessary and the negotiating process can begin.
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The <a href='http://www.eu2005.lu/en/actualites/documents_travail/2005/04/26cro01/croa.pdf' target="_blank" >Stabilisation and Association Council</a> is the body taxed with monitoring Croatia's implementation of the SAA
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Negotiations designed to lead to complete EU membership for Croatia formally began on October 3, 2005.
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Screening can be understood in two phases. During the 1st phase, teams from Croatia travel to Brussels to learn from the Commission about the acquis. Several weeks later, the 2nd phase – or bi-lateral screening – begins. The Croatian delegation presents its legal and institutional framework while assessing Croatia’s existing level of legal harmonization.
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Principles and procedures for accession negotiations agreed upon. Initial working program for screening discussed.
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The <a href='http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_055/l_05520060225en00300043.pdf' target="_blank" >Accession Partnership</a> assists Croatian authorities as they attempt to meet criteria for accession. It helps countries to identify their accession priorities and develop plans for implementing the acquis.
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The first phase of screening for the Food Safety chapter began on March 9th and continued until March 15th, 2006. During the explanatory meetings, large groups from Croatia would travel to Brussels to hear explanations from the commission about acquis. The Croatian delegation participated in these meetings with the Turkish delegation.
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The first phase of screening for the Environment chapter began on April 3rd and continued until April 11th, 2006. During the explanatory meetings, large groups from Croatia would travel to Brussels to hear explanations from the commission about acquis. The Croatian delegation participated in these meetings with the Turkish delegation.
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The second phase of screening for the Environment chapter began on May 15th and continued until May 19th, 2006. Bilateral meetings were conducted between Croatia and the Commission. In this phase, the Croatian Delegation presented the legal and institutional framework in Croatia and the level of its alignment with the acquis.
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The second phase of screening for the Food Safety chapter began on May 29th and continued until June 2nd, 2006. Bilateral meetings were conducted between Croatia and the Commission. In this phase, the Croatian Delegation presented the legal and institutional framework in Croatia and the level of its alignment with the acquis.
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When Screening concludes, two reports are presented. The EC presents one report to Croatia and a second to the Council (Integral Screening Report). The Integral Screening Report assesses the level of Croatia’s alignment with the acquis and allows for discussions regarding whether chapter negotiations can begin or if benchmarks must be met first.
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When assessing preparedness, the Council states whether opening negotiations may begin or if opening benchmarks should be set. In the case of the Food Safety Chapter, opening benchmarks were set.
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When assessing preparedness, the Council states whether opening negotiations may begin or if opening benchmarks should be set. In the case of the Environment Chapter, opening benchmarks were set.
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Croatia presents its negotiating position to the EU
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Croatia presents its negotiating position to the EU
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Chapter 12 opened at an intergovernmental conference in Brussels. Closing benchmarks were set for Croatia, which had to be fulfilled, assessed by the EC and then validated by the Council.
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EU Common Position for opening of Food Safety Chapter negotiations adopted by the Council.
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EU Common Position for opening of Environment Chapter negotiations adopted by the Council
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Chapter 27 was opened at an intergovernmental conference. Closing benchmarks were set for Croatia, which had to be fulfilled, assessed by the EC and then validated by the Council.
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Chapter 12 closed at an intergovernmental conference
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Chapter 27 provisionally closed at an intergovernmental conference
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Croatia <a href='http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/824&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en' target="_blank" >completes</a> negotiations after a six-year process that tested the country's ability to both adopt and implement EU legislation
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