Croatian Justice Minister Drazen Bosnjakovic said in Brussels on Friday he was optimistic about the meeting of the benchmarks required to close the Judiciary and Fundamental Rights policy chapter, one of the most difficult ones in accession negotiations with the EU.
"I don't see any problem regarding the meeting of the benchmarks we have in Chapter 23... We have achieved considerable progress in all segments and I'm glad our colleagues from the European Union have acknowledged it, too. I'm glad the work is being appreciated and respected," said Bosnjakovic.
He was in Brussels to attend an informal meeting of EU justice ministers.
Bosnjakovic said "some more things have to be finalised and some others implemented" in the coming months, adding he was "optimistic about the completion of this process."
Asked what assessment he expected from the European Commission in its Croatia progress report in early November, the minister said he expected the report to state that Croatia had met the benchmarks for closing Chapter 23.
"I believe the progress we have achieved so far will be recognised. I expect the final report to state that we have met all the benchmarks."
Bosnjakovic said Zagreb would host in September a conference on the Croatian judiciary in the context of EU membership, adding that it would bring together ministers from the EU and countries in the region.
In Brussels, he held bilateral meetings with some of his counterparts, briefing them about Croatia's achievements in judicial reform, suppression of corruption and promotion of human rights.
