Osijek Greens: Croatia Can�t Go to Europe Like This

The European Commission Avis (Opinion) on Croatian request for EU Membership, presented to the nation as �very positive opinion�, is anything but, at least in the segment related to the environment and ecology in Croatia, says Osjecki Zeleni environmental Association.

According to Osjecki Zeleni, the current ability of Croatia to harmonize its legislation with EU environmental standards and legislation is very modest.

The administrative capacities of Croatia to implement the European norms for environmental protection emphasize the weak points of the reorganization processes, such as the decision to locate the construction portfolio and the environmental protection and spatial planning with the same Ministry.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has established the Bureau of Inspections, with almost a half of the total of 461 employees working at the Ministry. However, the number of inspectors is still inadequate to provide for efficient implementation of the Law. That is the main reason why the number of lawsuits and charges of violations of the Environmental Law with the Courts remains at shamefully low level.

�If it wants to enter the EU�, claims the Association, �Croatia will have to reconsider and adopt provisions to regulate public participation in decision making processes on environmental protection issues. That will remain a major challenge.�

The whole Osijecki Zeleni article is available at ALERT online magazine (in Croatian).