In the first six months of its membership of the European Union, Croatia will have EU 655 million at its disposal and Croatia's contributions to the European budget in 2013 will amount to EUR 211.9 million, a European Commission proposal released on Monday said.
The European Commission proposes to amend this year's EU budget to take into account the impact of Croatia's accession to the EU on July 1. The proposed increase amounts to EUR 655.1 million in Croatia's commitments and EUR 374 million in payments.
"From 1 July 2013 when Croatia joins the EU, says EU Commissioner for Financial programming and Budget Janusz Lewandowski, Croat regions and towns, small and medium-sized businesses, NGOs, scientists and others will be eligible for EU funds just like any other Member State. This amending budget simply implements the financial aspects of the unanimous agreement of EU Member State to welcome Croatia as the 28th Member of the European Union," the Commission said in a press release.
The Commission's proposal will need to be adopted by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament.
The EU budget is expressed in two ways, through commitments and real payments. That means that in the 2013 financial year Croatia will have EUR 655.1 million at its disposal and the amount that will be paid out this year will be EUR 374 million. The remainder will be realised over the next few years.
The majority of these funds refers fo the cohesion funds - EUR 449.4 million in commitments, EUR 149.8 million in payments. Of the amount in commitments, EUR 199.6 million refers to structural funds and EUR 149.8 million to the cohesion fund.
Funds earmarked for citizenship, freedom, security and justice foresee EUR 73.3 million in commitments and EUR 42.2 million in payments.
The majority of these funds is intended to adapt to Schengen rules - EUR 40 million for immediate payout.
