Croatia – Transport

Candidate countries conduct negotiations with the European Union (EU) in order to prepare themselves for accession. The accession negotiations cover the adoption and implementation of European legislation (acquis) and, more specifically, the priorities identified jointly by the Commission and the candidate countries in the analytical assessment (or ‘screening’) of the EU’s political and legislative acquis. Each year, the Commission reviews the progress made by candidates and evaluates the efforts required before their accession. This monitoring is the subject of annual reports presented to the Council and the European Parliament.

ACT

Commission Report [COM(2010) 660 final – SEC(2010) 1326 – Not published in the Official Journal].

SUMMARY

In its 2010 Report the Commission presents the progress which must be achieved by Croatia, in particular with regard to air transport and railway safety.

EUROPEAN UNION ACQUIS (according to the Commission’s words)

EU transport legislation aims at improving the functioning of the Internal Market by promoting efficient and environment- and user-friendly transport services. The transport acquis covers the sectors of road transport, railways, aviation, maritime transport and inland waterways. It covers technical and safety standards, social standards, and market liberalisation in the context of the European Single Transport Market.

EVALUATION (according to the Commission’s words)

Further progress has been achieved in the field of transport. Overall, the level of alignment is good. However the completion of the alignment is needed in the aviation sector. Additional efforts are still needed to implement and enforce the acquis.

RELATED ACTS

Commission Opinion [COM(2009) 533 final – SEC(2009) 1333 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Commission Report [COM(2008) 674 final – SEC(2008) 2694 – Not published in the Official Journal].

The October 2008 report underlined the advances made by Croatia on the acquis. It was considered very important that the country should establish a transport safety authority, an investigative body and a notified body. Moreover, alignment with the acquis had to continue in terms of road transport and the establishment of common rules for some types of combined goods transport.

Commission Report [COM(2007) 663 final - SEC(2007) 1431 - Not published in the Official Journal]. In its November 2007 report, the Commission noted the efforts and progress made in terms of alignment with the acquis, particularly in the areas of railway and maritime transport. It emphasised however that it was necessary to strengthen administrative capacity.

Commission Report [COM(2006) 649 final - SEC(2006) 1385 - Not published in the Official Journal]. In its opinion of November 2006, the Commission judged that Croatia's progress in the transport sector was satisfactory. However, it needed to make increased efforts to align with the acquis, notably by further adoption of implementing measures. Croatia also had to increase its administrative capacity, by increasing personnel numbers and improving training.

Commission Report [COM(2005) 561 final - SEC(2005) 1424 - Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2005 report noted the progress made by Croatia in aligning transport legislation with the acquis. Key framework laws have been adopted in several sectors, notably air and maritime transport. Their effective implementation, however, depends on the adoption of implementing measures and on increasing administrative capacity.

Commission Opinion [COM(2004) 257 final - Not published in the Official Journal]. In its April 2004 opinion, the Commission encouraged Croatia to continue aligning its transport legislation with the acquis. These efforts were particularly necessary concerning safety and the control of State aid in the aviation sector. The transport authorities in general needed reinforcing in order to ensure effective implementation of the reforms.

See also

• Website of the Directorate General for Enlargement, Enlargement Strategy and Progress Reports 2010

Last updated: 03.12.2010