Croatia – Education and culture

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 regrets that Croatia has not made additional progress in the areas of education, training, youth and culture. However, the country has achieved an adequate level of alignment and future effort should essentially focus on preparing the country to participate in European Union programmes.

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

Education, training and youth is primarily the competence of the Member States. The EC Treaty provides that the Community will contribute to the development of quality education and implement a vocational training policy that supports and supplements the action of Member States. The acquis consists of a directive on education of the children of migrant workers, and of action programmes and recommendations. Member States need to have the necessary implementing capacity in place to effectively participate in the Community programmes related to this chapter.

EVALUATION (according to the Commission's words)

Further progress has been made regarding the acquis in the area of education and culture. There is a good level of alignment.

Croatia needs to continue its efforts to prepare for the management of the Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action Programmes.

RELATED ACTS

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

The October 2009 report noted that Croatia had made good progress, in particular in aligning with the Community acquis as well as in partially meeting its Accession Partnership priorities. Nevertheless, additional efforts were needed with regard to the management of Community programmes and adult education.

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

The November 2008 report noted encouraging progress with regard to respect for the Accession Partnership priorities in the field of education, training and youth. Preparations for the management of the programmes were to be continued.

Commission Report [COM(2007) 663 final – SEC(2007) 1431 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2007 report noted the continuation of the education reform process and Croatia’s good level of alignment with the acquis. Efforts remained to be made regarding non-discrimination between EU and Croatian nationals in secondary education and the application of the directive on education of children of migrant workers.

Commission Report [COM(2006) 649 final – SEC(2006) 1385 – Not published in the Official Journal]. The November 2006 report noted that Croatia had made reasonable progress, particularly in continuing with its reforms, and had achieved a good level of preparation for implementing the acquis. However, it had to put in place the management capacity and infrastructure needed to manage the Community programmes in which it participates. It also had to continue its efforts to guarantee non-discrimination between EU and Croatian nationals.

Commission Report [COM(2005) 561 final - SEC(2005) 1424 - Not published in the Official Journal]. The October 2005 report noted that several measures had been taken in connection with the reform of the education and training system, particularly in the area of higher education with the introduction of the Bologna process in study programmes. Croatia’s system of vocational education and training needed substantial improvement. It needed to be based on a coherent national policy approach and pay greater heed to youth policy.

Commission Opinion [COM(2004) 257 final - Not published in the Official Journal]. In its opinion of April 2004, the European Commission concluded that Croatia should not encounter any major problems in the field of education and training in the medium term. It would, however, have to make a considerable effort to create a modern vocational education and training system in line with the European Union’s (EU) employment and social policies.

See also

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

Last updated: 03.12.2010