Croatia to finalise accession treaty in Warsaw?
PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp
29.09.2011 15:04
Poland is intent on inviting signatories of Croatia’s EU accession treaty to Warsaw for 19 December.
Jadranka Kosor; photo - EPA
Polish Radio has gained access to yet unofficial information on the matter.
The final shape of the document negotiated still under the Hungarian EU Council presidency in the first half of this year had gained approval by a team of experts a few weeks ago during Poland’s term.
The treaty, after official signing, requires ratification by all EU member countries. Croatia should be granted Union membership most probably in mid-2013.
On 17 September in Zagreb, Prime Minister Donald Tusk presented Croatian premier Jadranka Kosor with the draft of the association treaty. Croatia had come out with a request for EU membership in 2003.
Negotiations on the issue commenced in October 2005 and lasted for nearly six years. The document was drafted by a 35 expert working groups representing all member states. It is expected be presented to all Union governments, the European Parliament and European Commission in November. (ss/jb)