After a committee meeting Tuesday (September 7th), she said that Zagreb could close the remaining 11 negotiation chapters by March and complete the negotiations in June during Hungary's term at the helm of the rotating EU presidency. The three most difficult negotiation chapters await -- competition, judiciary and financial and budgetary provisions.

European Parliament rapporteur for Croatia Hannes Swoboda is also optimistic the country will be able to wrap up its EU accession talks by next spring. Commenting on his recent visit to Zagreb, said that Croatia's goal is to complete the talks in March 2011. At the same time, he noted that the remaining negotiation chapters -- judiciary and fundamental rights and competition -- are among the most difficult. He also pointed out that several EU members are closely following Croatia's efforts to reform its judiciary and fight corruption, as well as the country's level of co-operation with The Hague war crimes tribunal.

Source: www.setimes.com, as accessed on September 10, 2010.